Prevalence of burnout and its association with demographic and workplace factors among health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Osorno Province, Southern Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic work stress, such as during COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to Burnout Syndrome, a depressive psychological disorder characterized by mental and physical exhaustion, affecting 11.2% of nurses worldwide. However, evidence is scarce and controversial in Chile. Objective: To study the prevalence of burnout and its relationship with demographic and occupational profile in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Osorno Province, Southern Chile. Methods: Quantitative study through a non-experimental cross-sectional correlational design based on a socio-demographic survey associated with the Maslach Inventory (adapted to Spanish) to measure burnout. Healthcare personnel treating COVID-19 patients in primary and secondary healthcare centers in the Osorno Province were considered. Results: A total of 275 workers were included (41 nurses, 234 other clinical staff), with the majority being women (73%) and young (<39 years, 65.5%). Low levels of burnout (8.4%) were observed with high Emotional Exhaustion (45.1%) negatively associated with the presence of the partner/spouse (p<0.05), daytime shifts (p<0.05), Leadership Support Perception (p<0.01), and Work Environment Relationships (p<0.01), and positively associated with Work Difficulty Perception (p<0.01). Conclusion: Burnout levels reported herein (8.4%) are consistent with pre-pandemic burnout and differ from what was reported during the early response to COVID-19. Local and cultural factors, as well as the availability of vaccines and effective treatment alternatives at the time of this measurement, may explain the discrepancy and improve understanding of this work-related phenomenon.