Burnout Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Palliative and Hospice Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Endemic: An Exploratory Survey

Abstract

Background Burnout is a significant issue for palliative and hospice professionals, exacerbated by the impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on healthcare professionals. It is crucial to update our understanding of prevalence data, identify associated factors, and evaluate support resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We aimed to explore the prevalence of burnout among palliative and hospice care workers, 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic by using the Maslach’s Burnout Inventory; anxiety, using General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), workload, risk perception of COVID-19, confidence in protective measures (personal, workplace, and government), and usage and perceived helpfulness of support resources. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyse burnout against these factors. Results Of the 115 respondents encompassing doctors, nurses and social workers (76.5% female; average age 40.9), 48.7% experienced burnout. Burnout correlated with increased anxiety, higher COVID-19 risk perception, heavier workload, and reduced confidence in protective measures. Peer support, COVID information, and psychological programs were rated as the most effective for coping. Conclusion The study indicates considerable levels of burnout among palliative and hospice care workers, linked to workload, anxiety, and perceived risk. Traditional mental health interventions had limited efficacy; respondents favoured peer support and organisational changes. The findings stress the need for a holistic approach, including diverse resources, workload management, and regular mental health assessments.