Title : Investigation of burnout, anxiety and depression in health professionals: Which is the effect of demographic and occupational variables?
Abstract:
The aim of the present study is to investigate levels of burnout, anxiety and depression among health professionals (medical and nursing staff), the association of burnout with anxiety and depression as well as the effect of demographic and occupational variables. One hundred twenty-five health professionals (medical and nursing staff) who were working in a public hospital in the broader area of Athens, participated in the study. Specifically, 41 males and 84 females with the majority of them being in the category of 36 - 45 years of age. For the data collection, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the HADS questionnaire were used. The results showed that there was a statistically significant and negative correlation of emotional exhaustion to HADS total (r= -0,377, p=0,000) as well as HADS anxiety (r= - 20 0,417, p=0,000). Also, there was a statistically significant and negative correlation of depersonalization to HADS total (r= -0,370, p=0,000) as well as HADS anxiety (r= -0,431, p=0,000). Regarding differences between males and females in relation to burnout, anxiety and depression, the results showed that females presented higher emotional exhaustion in comparison to males (p<0,05). Regarding differences between levels of age in relation to burnout, anxiety and depression, the results showed that older health professionals (>55 years) presented higher anxiety in comparison to the other age groups (p<0,05). Concerning the variable of education, the results indicated that only in emotional exhaustion differences were observed (p<0,05) with those who have studied in Institutes of Vocational Training to present higher values of emotional exhaustion (75,42) while graduates from high school presented 73,95 and graduates from university education presented 71,31 and finally those health professionals holding a master or PhD presented 48,89. Concerning the variable of profession, the results indicated that only in emotional exhaustion differences were observed (p<0,05). Specifically, those who were nursing assistants (which means graduates from a secondary school) presented higher values of emotional exhaustion (79,37) while nurses (which means graduates from university) presented 77,39 and supporting healthcare staff (graduates from an obligatory school) presented 59,57. Finally, medical staff indicated the lower scores of emotional exhaustion (48,73) compared to the groups of nurses. With regards to the factors of marital status and work experience (in years), no statistically significant differences were observed. The findings show a strong association between burnout and HADS scores. Finally, the effect of demographic and occupational variables on burnout is observed.
Audience Take Away Notes:
It is concluded that public hospitals should be immediately staffed with a psychiatrist specialty as well as with a psychologist-psychotherapist in order to cover the needs of health workers and to support the therapeutic work
