The COPE Staff study: Study description and initial report regarding job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout among Swedish maternal and neonatal healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the study design of the COPE Staff cohort study on working conditions for maternal and neonatal healthcare workers (MNHCWs), and present baseline data regarding job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout.MethodsBetween January and April 2021, 957 MNHCWs (administrative and medical staff) completed a baseline survey. Average levels of job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout, and associations to perceived workload were assessed.ResultsThe average levels of job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout were 68.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 64.3–72.8), 42.6 (95% CI 37.3–48.0), 42.0 (95% CI 37.7–46.3), and 1.9 (95% CI 1.6–2.2), respectively. The respondents scoring above critical values indicating clinical burnout ranged between 3% and 18%, respectively, for the four burnout sub‐dimensions. Women reported significantly higher levels of stress and burnout. Younger participants had lower job satisfaction and higher levels of work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout. Higher perceived workload was significantly associated with lower job satisfaction levels and higher levels of work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout.ConclusionsOur results indicate associations between MNHCWs perceived workload and job satisfaction, work‐life conflicts, stress, and burnout during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eighteen percent scored above critical values for exhaustion.