Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers
Abstract Background This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work satisfaction, work-related stress, and perceived work quality among substance use treatment providers to better understand challenges faced among this group during the pandemic. Methods Participants of this study wer...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00361-6 |
| _version_ | 1811177015829594112 |
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| author | Andrea Fentem Raven Riordan Christine Doroshenko Xiao Li Erin Kasson Devin Banks Rachel P. Winograd Patricia Cavazos-Rehg |
| author_facet | Andrea Fentem Raven Riordan Christine Doroshenko Xiao Li Erin Kasson Devin Banks Rachel P. Winograd Patricia Cavazos-Rehg |
| author_sort | Andrea Fentem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work satisfaction, work-related stress, and perceived work quality among substance use treatment providers to better understand challenges faced among this group during the pandemic. Methods Participants of this study were 91 addiction treatment providers (e.g., therapists, physicians, community support specialists, administrative staff) recruited from various treatment facilities (e.g., inpatient and outpatient settings). Mixed method analyses were conducted to assess self-reported burnout, sources of work-related stress, and perceived work quality during the pandemic. Responses from providers reporting COVID-19 related decreases in work quality were compared to responses from providers who reported their quality of work had increased or remained the same. Results Results demonstrated half of providers (51%) reported their quality of work had decreased. This perceived decrease in quality of work was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion (M = 17.41 vs. M = 12.48, p = 0.002), workplace stress (M = 42.80 vs. M = 30.84, p = 0.001), as well as decreased enjoyment of work (83% vs. 51%, p = 0.001) and decreased personal accomplishment (M = 20.64 vs. M = 23.05 p = 0.001). Qualitative investigations further illustrated that increased hours, changes in work schedules, work-life balance challenges, difficulties with client communication, and increased client needs were contributing factors increasing stress/burnout and decreasing perceived work quality. Conclusions Addiction treatment providers experience high levels of burnout and workplace stress. Additionally, many individuals perceived a decrease in their quality of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addiction treatment facility administration should address these challenges to support the well-being of clinical staff and the clients they serve both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:01:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8bae9fddd0f84e69939078c8e01b35bf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1940-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:01:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-8bae9fddd0f84e69939078c8e01b35bf2023-01-22T12:21:06ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402023-01-0118111010.1186/s13722-023-00361-6Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providersAndrea Fentem0Raven Riordan1Christine Doroshenko2Xiao Li3Erin Kasson4Devin Banks5Rachel P. Winograd6Patricia Cavazos-Rehg7Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri – St. LouisMissouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri St. LouisDepartment of Psychiatry, Washington University School of MedicineAbstract Background This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work satisfaction, work-related stress, and perceived work quality among substance use treatment providers to better understand challenges faced among this group during the pandemic. Methods Participants of this study were 91 addiction treatment providers (e.g., therapists, physicians, community support specialists, administrative staff) recruited from various treatment facilities (e.g., inpatient and outpatient settings). Mixed method analyses were conducted to assess self-reported burnout, sources of work-related stress, and perceived work quality during the pandemic. Responses from providers reporting COVID-19 related decreases in work quality were compared to responses from providers who reported their quality of work had increased or remained the same. Results Results demonstrated half of providers (51%) reported their quality of work had decreased. This perceived decrease in quality of work was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion (M = 17.41 vs. M = 12.48, p = 0.002), workplace stress (M = 42.80 vs. M = 30.84, p = 0.001), as well as decreased enjoyment of work (83% vs. 51%, p = 0.001) and decreased personal accomplishment (M = 20.64 vs. M = 23.05 p = 0.001). Qualitative investigations further illustrated that increased hours, changes in work schedules, work-life balance challenges, difficulties with client communication, and increased client needs were contributing factors increasing stress/burnout and decreasing perceived work quality. Conclusions Addiction treatment providers experience high levels of burnout and workplace stress. Additionally, many individuals perceived a decrease in their quality of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addiction treatment facility administration should address these challenges to support the well-being of clinical staff and the clients they serve both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00361-6COVID-19BurnoutStressSubstance useProviders |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Fentem Raven Riordan Christine Doroshenko Xiao Li Erin Kasson Devin Banks Rachel P. Winograd Patricia Cavazos-Rehg Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers Addiction Science & Clinical Practice COVID-19 Burnout Stress Substance use Providers |
| title | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| title_full | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| title_short | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on burnout and perceived workplace quality among addiction treatment providers |
| topic | COVID-19 Burnout Stress Substance use Providers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00361-6 |
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