Impact of nurses' roles and burden on burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic: Multicentre cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Aim: To identify groups of nurses engaging in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) care who are most in need of organizational support.

Background: Overwhelming stress and susceptibility to burnout have been reported in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Nurses working at five hospitals that accepted COVID-19 patients answered the questionnaire. The Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic, Self-Diagnosis Check List for Assessment of Workers' Accumulated Fatigue and Japanese Burnout Scale were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between engaging in COVID-19 care and psychosocial/physical burden.

Results: In total, 895 questionnaires were analysed. With experience in caring for COVID-19 patients as the independent variable, nurses caring for suspected cases had significantly higher standardized Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic scores for 'concerns for infection' (standardized partial regression coefficient β = .921, P = .004), Assessment of Workers' Accumulated Fatigue (β = .445, P = .022) and Japanese Burnout Scale 'emotional exhaustion' (β = .136, P = .021) than those caring for confirmed cases.

Conclusions: Nurses caring for suspected COVID-19 patients have the highest psychological/physical burden and propensity for burnout.

Implications for nursing management: Extensive support systems are required for nurses caring for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases.

Keywords: COVID-19; burnout; nurses; occupational health; pandemic.