Professional burnout, quality of life issues and psychological burden in anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists in contemporary conditions аfter COVID-19 pandemic: results of an internet-based survey

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists are considered to be an extremely vulnerable group of medical specialists, more susceptible to professional stress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the severity of professional burnout syndrome (PB), quality of life (QoL) issues and psychological burben in anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists working in a multi-field hospital, as well as to determine the risk factors for PB in these specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physicians completed the online survey questionnaire including MBI, WHOQOL-BREF and HADS for assessment of PB, QoL and anxiety and depression, respectively, as well as the checklist with general questions related to COVID-19. Pairwise or multiple comparisons as well as correlation and regression analyses were performed within the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The online survey involved 101 physicians (mean age 38.3 ± 9.8 years, 54.5 % — females). During the pandemic, 68.3 % of specialists worked in the red zone. It was demonstrated that the PB syndrome or its signs were observed 2 years after the start of the pandemic in 75 % of specialists — in 27 % it was formed, and in 48 % its signs were revealed. Decreased levels of the main QoL domains, physical, psychological and social well-being, were observed in 1/3 of physicians. About one third of specialists had borderline or increased levels of anxiety/depression. Working in the red zone during pandemic and elevated levels of depression increase the probability of PB, and a high level of social well-being decreases it. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevention of the PB development of screening examinations are recommended on the regular basis to reveal those specialists who are at high risk of PB. The results obtained may be used to develop evidence-based practical recommendations for the prevention of PB syndrome and psychosocial disorders in anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists.