Evaluation of psychological distress, burnout and structural empowerment status of healthcare workers during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

BACKGROUND: In light of several recent studies, there is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused various mental health concerns in the general population, as well as among healthcare workers (HCWs). The main aim of this study was to assess the psychological distress, burnout and structural empowerment status of HCWs during the COVID-19 outbreak, and to evaluate its predictors. METHODS: This multi-center, cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey was conducted on HCWs during the outbreak of COVID-19 from August 2020 to January 2021. HCWs working in hospitals from 48 different countries were invited to participate in an online anonymous survey that investigated sociodemographic data, psychological distress, burnout and structural empowerment (SE) based on Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Conditions for work effectiveness questionnaire (CWEQ_II), respectively. Predictors of the total scores of DASS-21, MBI and CWEQ-II were assessed using unadjusted and adjusted binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of the 1030 HCWs enrolled in this survey, all completed the sociodemographic section (response rate 100%) A total of 730 (70.9%) HCWs completed the DASS-21 questionnaire, 852 (82.6%) completed the MBI questionnaire, and 712 (69.1%) completed the CWEQ-II questionnaire. The results indicate that 360 out of 730 responders (49.3%) reported severe or extremely severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, 422 out of 851 responders (49.6%) reported a high level of burnout, while 268 out of 712 responders (37.6%) reported a high level of structural empowerment based on the DASS-21, MBI, and CWEQ-II scales, respectively. In addition, the analysis showed that HCWs working in the COVID-19 areas experienced significantly higher symptoms of severe stress, anxiety, depression and higher levels of burnout compared to those working in other areas. The results also revealed that direct work with COVID-19 patients, lower work experience, and high workload during the outbreak of COVID-19 increase the risks of negative psychological consequences. CONCLUSION: Health professionals had high levels of burnout and psychological symptoms during the COVID-19 emergency. Monitoring and timely treatment of these conditions is needed.

Burnout and job satisfaction among psychiatrists in the Mental Health Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Job satisfaction is a critical concern among medical staff and directly affects patient safety and quality of health care services. Burnout has been reported to be correlated with job satisfaction. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and level of job satisfaction among psychiatrists working in the Mental Health Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, and examine correlations among socio-demographic variables, burnout, and job satisfaction. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the Job Descriptive Index (JDI). RESULTS: One-third of psychiatrists reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, with a similar proportion describing low levels of personal accomplishment. Less than 20 % demonstrated high levels of depersonalization. Trainees were more burned out than senior psychiatrists. Opportunities for promotion was the only factor with which the majority of psychiatrists were not satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of high burnout in psychiatrists remains lower in Qatar than in other countries. Lower levels of satisfaction with co-workers, work, supervision, opportunities for promotion, and the job in general increased emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Interestingly, satisfaction with salary did not have a significant effect on burnout.

Heart failure in a multiethnic population in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: There are established differences in cardiovascular disease in different racial groups. Worldwide, the literature regarding the clinical epidemiology of congestive heart failure (CHF) in non-white populations is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To document the prevalence of CHF in the multiracial population of Malaysia, and to describe the clinical features and management of these patients. SETTING: Busy city centre general hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. RESULTS: Of 1435 acute medical admissions to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital over the 4-week study period, 97 patients (6.7%) were admitted with the primary diagnosis of CHF. Coronary artery disease was the main aetiology of CHF, accounting for almost half (49.5%) the patients, followed by hypertension (18.6%). However, there were variations in associated aetiological factors between ethnic groups, with diabetes mellitus affecting the majority of Indians-as well as underutilisation of standard drugs for CHF, such as the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which were only used in 43.3%. CONCLUSION: Amongst acute medical admissions to a single centre in Malaysia the prevalence of CHF was 6.7%. Coronary artery disease was the major aetiological factor in heart failure accounting for almost half the admissions. The under-prescription of ACE inhibitors was similar to other clinical surveys carried out amongst Caucasian populations in the West.