Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain
Background: The health profession is a burnout producer due to the continuous contact with pain and suffering. In addition, excessive workloads can generate stress and psychological distress. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the degree of burnout and its main triggers in health pro...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/9/3029 |
| _version_ | 1797553146332971008 |
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| author | José Ángel Martínez-López Cristina Lázaro-Pérez José Gómez-Galán María del Mar Fernández-Martínez |
| author_facet | José Ángel Martínez-López Cristina Lázaro-Pérez José Gómez-Galán María del Mar Fernández-Martínez |
| author_sort | José Ángel Martínez-López |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The health profession is a burnout producer due to the continuous contact with pain and suffering. In addition, excessive workloads can generate stress and psychological distress. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the degree of burnout and its main triggers in health professionals in Spain at the most critical period of the COVID-19 emergency. Method: A quantitative research was developed through a simple random sampling in different Spanish hospitals through the period of greatest impact of the pandemic (<i>N</i> = 157). Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire from Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) containing 22 items, which measures three subscales: emotional burnout, depersonalization, and self-fulfillment. Results: depersonalization values reached 38.9%. A total of 90.4% of the health professionals considered that psychological care should be provided from the work centers. Furthermore, 43.3% of the health professionals estimated that they might need psychological treatment in the future. Finally, 85.4% stated that the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) generated an increase in stress and anxiety. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need to consider specific mental health care services and training in crises to avoid possible psychological disorders. The information obtained is also valuable for the development of future prevention protocols and training of health personnel to face pandemics of these characteristics or emergency scenarios. Having the necessary physical means for their protection, as well to updated regular and accurate information, is essential to avoid feelings of fear and uncertainty. This would promote the health of these professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:11:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0e4c793536824ceb9747678c1a25a1df |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:11:17Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-0e4c793536824ceb9747678c1a25a1df2023-11-20T14:24:42ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832020-09-0199302910.3390/jcm9093029Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in SpainJosé Ángel Martínez-López0Cristina Lázaro-Pérez1José Gómez-Galán2María del Mar Fernández-Martínez3Department of Social Work and Social Services, University of Murcia, Avda. Teniente Flomesta, 5-30003 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Sociology, University of Murcia, C/Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, SpainDepartment of Education, University of Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, SpainCollege of Education Sciences & College of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, University of Huelva, Campus El Carmen, Avda. de las Fuerzas Armadas, s/n, 21007 Huelva, SpainBackground: The health profession is a burnout producer due to the continuous contact with pain and suffering. In addition, excessive workloads can generate stress and psychological distress. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the degree of burnout and its main triggers in health professionals in Spain at the most critical period of the COVID-19 emergency. Method: A quantitative research was developed through a simple random sampling in different Spanish hospitals through the period of greatest impact of the pandemic (<i>N</i> = 157). Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire from Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) containing 22 items, which measures three subscales: emotional burnout, depersonalization, and self-fulfillment. Results: depersonalization values reached 38.9%. A total of 90.4% of the health professionals considered that psychological care should be provided from the work centers. Furthermore, 43.3% of the health professionals estimated that they might need psychological treatment in the future. Finally, 85.4% stated that the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) generated an increase in stress and anxiety. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need to consider specific mental health care services and training in crises to avoid possible psychological disorders. The information obtained is also valuable for the development of future prevention protocols and training of health personnel to face pandemics of these characteristics or emergency scenarios. Having the necessary physical means for their protection, as well to updated regular and accurate information, is essential to avoid feelings of fear and uncertainty. This would promote the health of these professionals.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/9/3029burnoutCOVID-19pandemichealth professionalsstressanxiety |
| spellingShingle | José Ángel Martínez-López Cristina Lázaro-Pérez José Gómez-Galán María del Mar Fernández-Martínez Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain Journal of Clinical Medicine burnout COVID-19 pandemic health professionals stress anxiety |
| title | Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain |
| title_full | Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain |
| title_fullStr | Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain |
| title_short | Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Health Professionals: Burnout Incidence at the Most Critical Period in Spain |
| title_sort | psychological impact of covid 19 emergency on health professionals burnout incidence at the most critical period in spain |
| topic | burnout COVID-19 pandemic health professionals stress anxiety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/9/3029 |
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