Burnout: Spain

In a study in Spain, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, working on COVID-
19 FL (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.71, p<0.001), being a woman (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.29,
p=0.022), being under 30 years old (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.06 to 2.89, p=0.028) and being a
physician (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.41, p=0.011) were associated with high risk of burn-out
syndrome. This survey study of healthcare professionals reported high rates of burn-out
syndrome. Interventions to promote mental well-being in healthcare workers exposed to COVID-
19 need to be immediately implemented. (Torente etal, 2021)
Burnout: India
In a study in India, The prevalence of personal burnout was 44.6% (903), work-related burn-out
was only 26.9% (544), while greater than half of the respondents (1,069, 52.8%) had pandemic-
related burnout. Younger respondents (21–30 years) had higher personal and work-related
burnout. The prevalence of personal and work-related burnout was significantly (p < 0.01) higher
among females. The doctors were 1.64 times, and the support staff were 5 times more likely to
experience pandemic-related burnout. There is a significant prevalence of burnout during the
COVID-19 pandemic among HCWs, in particular, doctors and support staff. Female respondents
had higher prevalence. We suggest that the management should be proactive and supportive in
improving working conditions and providing assurance to the HCWs. The long-term effects of
the current pandemic need to be assessed later. (Kulkarni,2020)
Burnout : Japan
Through the study, we provided up-to-date data regarding the impacts of the COVID19
pandemic on HCWs focusing on burnout. Despite the emergence of novel vaccines, there is
considerable uncertainty about how long the pandemic will last. While Japan has had a relatively
small number of COVID-19 cases compared to other countries, we have experienced
considerable numbers of clusters and outbreaks all over the countries that have rendered
significant stress on HCWs. Burnout of HCWs, which is related to intention to leave the
professions, would eventually lead to a chaotic consequence of the potential collapse of its
sustainable healthcare system. Although there are no straightforward solutions to address burnout
of HCWs, securing shift work to prevent overwork and providing mental health support at a
policy level may be essential to overcome the challenge and to provide contingency plans to
those in danger of burnout. As a country where UHC is an essential pillar of its policy, the
Japanese government needs to show its leadership to protect its sustainable healthcare delivery
system. One of the most important things to address the issue would be burnout prevention of
HCWs. (Nishimura et al,2021)

Burnout: China
The study conducted by Jiang et al. (2020) with 310 people in order to examine the
psychological symptoms of healthcare professionals in Wuhan during the COVID-19 outbreak
showed that healthcare professionals were under moderate to severe stress, and that many of
them reported high anxiety and depression. Emergencies such as the COVID-19 outbreak can
prove riskier for healthcare professionals who work under various difficulties and risks even in
the provision of ordinary health services. These situations can cause them to be exposed to
severe stress reactions and experience stress, which increases the risk of developing secondary
trauma. (Jiang et’al, 2020)

Burnout: US
The study conducted by Shah et’al (2021) The weighted sample of 50 273 respondents
(representing 3 957 661 nurses nationally) was predominantly female (90.4%) and White
(80.7%); the mean (SD) age was 48.7 (0.04) years. Among nurses who reported leaving their job
in 2017 (n = 418 769), 31.5% reported burnout as a reason, with lower proportions of nurses
reporting burnout in the West (16.6%) and higher proportions in the Southeast (30.0%).
Compared with working less than 20 h/wk, nurses who worked more than 40 h/wk had a higher
likelihood identifying burnout as a reason they left their job (odds ratio, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.61-
6.67). Respondents who reported leaving or considering leaving their job owing to burnout
reported a stressful work environment (68.6% and 59.5%, respectively) and inadequate staffing
(63.0% and 60.9%, respectively). These findings suggest that burnout is a significant problem
among US nurses who leave their job or consider leaving their job. Health systems should focus
on implementing known strategies to alleviate burnout, including adequate nurse staffing and
limiting the number of hours worked per shift.

Citations:
Jiang, D., Lu, D., Tao, W., Chenxin, Y., Rao, F., Lei, Z., et al. (2020). Psychological symptoms
among frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Gen. Hosp.
Psychiatry S0163-S8343, 30045–30051. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.03.011
Kulkarni, A., Khasne, R. W., Dhakulkar, B. S., & Mahajan, H. C. (2020). Burnout among
Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in India: Results of a Questionnaire-based
Survey. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 24(8), 664–671. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-
journals-10071-23518
Nishimura, Y., Miyoshi, T., Hagiya, H., Kosaki, Y., & Otsuka, F. (2021). Burnout of Healthcare
Workers amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Japanese Cross-Sectional Survey. International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2434.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052434
Torrente, M., Sousa, P. A., Sánchez-Ramos, A., Pimentao, J., Royuela, A., Franco, F., Collazo-
Lorduy, A., Menasalvas, E., & Provencio, M. (2021). To burn-out or not to burn-out: a cross-
sectional study in healthcare professionals in Spain during COVID-19 pandemic. BMJ Open,
11(2), e044945. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044945

Shah, M. K., Gandrakota, N., Cimiotti, J. P., Ghose, N., Moore, M., & Ali, M. K. (2021).
Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nurse Burnout in the US. JAMA Network Open,
4(2), e2036469. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36469