JOEM: A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Factors (May 2023)-JOEM: A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Factors (May 2023)

JOEM: A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Factors (May 2023)

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A longitudinal cohort study conducted in New York City aimed to examine the prevalence and factors impacting burnout in frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 786 FHCWs from Mount Sinai Hospital and conducted two surveys during the initial COVID surge in April to May 2020 (T1) and November 2020 to January 2021 (T2). The results showed that the prevalence of burnout increased from 38.9% at T1 to 44.8% at T2, with 28.3% of FHCWs experiencing persistent burnout, 10.5% experiencing early burnout, and 16.5% experiencing delayed burnout. Factors associated with persistent burnout included prepandemic burnout, feeling less valued by supervisors, and lower optimism. Factors associated with delayed burnout included prepandemic burnout and caring for patients who died. The study suggests that addressing burnout in FHCWs may involve strategies such as increasing their sense of value, optimism, and support, treating mental health symptoms, and providing counseling for workplace distress. It is important to identify at-risk FHCWs, particularly those with preexisting burnout and mental health disorders, and provide targeted interventions to support their well-being during and after crises. The study highlights the need for individual and organizational prevention strategies and treatment efforts to mitigate the burden and adverse consequences associated with burnout in FHCWs.

Keywords

burnout prevalence

persistent burnout

early burnout

delayed burnout

prepandemic burnout

feeling less valued

lower optimism

caring for patients

mental health disorders

targeted interventions