Burnout Syndrome in Personnel of an Infectious Diseases Hospital, One Year after the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are important players in the COVID-19 pandemic management and are inescapably in the first line to be exposed to the SARS CoV-2 virus. They were at risk of losing their lives while caring for their duty for COVID patients. This pandemic has substantial psychological impact on HCWs. This study describes the prevalence of burnout between HCWs handle with COVID-19 pandemic. The study explored the level of burnout in this population and examined factors involved in development of this psychological consequence. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on personnel from an Infectious Diseases monospecialty Hospital, which provides care for COVID-19 patients. The study was attended at 12 months after the outbreak. A questionnaire- based survey using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was conducted for all personnel. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Age, gender, job category and the level of burnout in each subscale was measured. 186 persons completed the questionnaire (79%from employees). 61.86% experienced medium and high levels of burnout comparable with other country studies. The mean score and SD in emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment were 23.26+8.45, 11.11+4.05, and 22.62+6.83, respectively. The prevalence of burnout in the hospital`s personnel was 38.179% in low rates, 46.77% had medium level and 15.05% high level. Doctors and administrative staff were more affected than others. Nevertheless, there are no significant statistical differences in the level of the three domains of burnout studied regarding the age and job profile. In conclusion, in our hospital, designated to treat moderate and severe COVID-19 patients burnout is equally present among HCWs.