Long-term healthcare professionals' experiences of burnout and correlation between burnout and fatigue: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze the long-term burnout levels of healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in Slovenian nursing homes during the fifth wave of the pandemic; to compare the results of similar facilities in 2020 and 2013; and to examine the correlation between demographics and burnout and fatigue among HCPs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study used a descriptive, correlational cross-sectional method. RESULTS: In the fifth wave, HCPs suffered more from emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and lack of personal accomplishment than in the first wave of the pandemic and in the spring of 2013. The HCPs caring for COVID-19 patients and younger women had higher rates of burnout and fatigue than other occupational groups. There is a strong positive correlation between burnout and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to address the problem of fatigue and burnout with administrative measures. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(3):396-405.

Burnout and job satisfaction of healthcare workers in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Since there is no study on burnout and job satisfaction in Slovenian nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to analyse job satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, and make a comparison with the results of the same services in 2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study is based on a cross-organisational and descriptive quantitative study conducted in spring 2013 (n = 556) and spring 2020 at the peak of the pandemic in Eastern Europe (n = 781) to identify the relationships and the changes in the satisfaction and burnout levels of healthcare professionals working in Slovenian nursing homes in rural areas, and on a qualitative study conducted in 2020, to identify in-depth relationships and changes in both studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: An increase in burnout syndromes between 2013 - 2020 was observed. The respondents experienced intensified emotional exhaustion and lack of personal accomplishment during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, depersonalisation did not differ statistically over the years. During the pandemic crisis, healthcare workers were less satisfied with their job than in spring 2013. Their job satisfaction was related to satisfaction with the work of nursing homes and with the work of state institutions and politicians who directly affected their working conditions and recognition in society. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated already existing burnout syndromes of nursing homes healthcare workers in Slovenian rural areas. Job satisfaction proved to be a relevant predictor of burnout syndrome. A negative correlation was observed between job satisfaction in 2020 and emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment in 2013 and 2020.