Examining the burnout levels of healthcare employees and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence, severe contagious nature, and associated morbidity and mortality rates of COVID-19 increased the demand for healthcare and social care services worldwide. No doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic affected frontline healthcare employees the most. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the burnout levels of healthcare employees and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was completed with 478 healthcare professionals. The study’s sampling included all healthcare professionals who were actively working in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to participate in the study. The study data were collected through the internet (online) between 10.05.2021 and 10.08.2021. The Healthcare Staff Information Form and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to collect the study data. RESULTS: Emotional burnout (p < 0.001) and desensitization (p = 0.007) scores were higher in those who lived separately from people they normally lived with. Emotional burnout and desensitization scores of the nurses were significantly higher than those of doctors and other healthcare professionals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that healthcare professionals in Turkey experienced moderate levels of burnout in terms of emotional burnout and desensitization, and high levels of burnout in terms of personal achievement. It is recommended to improve working conditions, monitor employees in high-risk units more closely, and provide psychological support to prevent or reduce the burnout of healthcare employees during the pandemic period.