More than 40% of nurses and other healthcare workers had risks associated with an increased likelihood of burnout early in the pandemic. Those are the findings of a survey published in the American Journal of Nursing.
The study identified risk factors for poor well-being and factors associated with greater resilience that may reduce the risk of burnout for providers. The researchers conducted online polls of 2,459 nurses and other non-physician related healthcare workers who provide direct patient care. The data was collected in June 2020.
Researchers found 44% of nurses and healthcare workers surveyed were at risk of burnout, which can lead to fatigue and patient care errors. Some of the factors cited by the respondents that impacted their well-being included concerns over supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), increased workloads, inadequate staffing and the belief that employers did not understand the emotional support needs of staff.
Less than a quarter of respondents had used available resources to support their well-being and resilience, such as meditation apps, employee assistance programs and counseling.
Researchers said employers and managers can help reduce burnout by paying close attention to workloads and staffing, creating a culture of psychological safety within teams and units and recognizing the unique challenges posed by the pandemic.
