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JMIR Public Health and Surveillance Mar 2024Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally...
BACKGROUND
Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally exhausting work contexts, constitute a vulnerable group. This, coupled with its subsequent impact on patients and public economic resources, makes burnout a significant public health concern. Various self-care practices have been suggested to have a positive effect on burnout among HCWs. Of these, physical activity stands out for its ability to combine psychological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms. In fact, it promotes psychological detachment from work and increases self-efficacy by inhibiting neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, increasing endorphin levels, enhancing mitochondrial function, and attenuating the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on the association between physical activity and burnout among HCWs.
METHODS
We considered HCWs, physical activity, and burnout, framing them as population, exposure, and outcome, respectively. We searched APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, and Scopus until July 2022. We extracted relevant data on study design, methods to measure exposure and outcome, and statistical approaches.
RESULTS
Our analysis encompassed 21 independent studies. Although 10% (2/21) of the studies explicitly focused on physical activity, the remaining investigations were exploratory in nature and examined various predictors, including physical activity. The most commonly used questionnaire was the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Owing to the heterogeneity in definitions and cutoffs used, the reported prevalence of burnout varied widely, ranging from 7% to 83%. Heterogeneity was also observed in the measurement tools used to assess physical activity, with objective measures rarely used. In total, 14% (3/21) of the studies used structured questionnaires to assess different types of exercise, whereas most studies (18/21, 86%) only recorded the attainment of a benchmark or reported the frequency, intensity, or duration of exercise. The reported prevalence of physically active HCWs ranged from 44% to 87%. The analyses, through a variety of inferential approaches, indicated that physical activity is often associated with a reduced risk of burnout, particularly in the domains of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Furthermore, we compiled and classified a list of factors associated with burnout.
CONCLUSIONS
Our comprehensive overview of studies investigating the association between physical activity and burnout in HCWs revealed significant heterogeneity in definitions, measurements, and analyses adopted in the literature. To address this issue, it is crucial to adopt a clear definition of physical activity and make thoughtful choices regarding measurement tools and methodologies for data analysis. Our considerations regarding the measurement of burnout and the comprehensive list of associated factors have the potential to improve future studies aimed at informing decision-makers, thus laying the foundation for more effective management measures to address burnout.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Health Personnel; Psychological Tests; Self Report; Burnout, Professional
PubMed: 38498040
DOI: 10.2196/49772 -
European Review For Medical and... Feb 2024This study aimed to explore the treatment effects of various intervention methods on the stress, anxiety, and fatigue of medical workers during the 2019 Coronavirus... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effects of different intervention methods on psychological anxiety, stress, and fatigue among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore the treatment effects of various intervention methods on the stress, anxiety, and fatigue of medical workers during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted computer searches in both Chinese and English databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (Wang Fang), VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform (VIP), Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ScienceDirect to include prospective randomized controlled studies (Prospective RCT) published before September 30, 2023, regarding different treatment methods for stress, anxiety, and fatigue among healthcare workers during COVID-19. Data on anxiety, stress, and fatigue of research participants were extracted from the included studies, followed by statistical analysis of treatment effects using R software with the meta package.
RESULTS
A total of 9 articles were eventually included, involving a total of 1,466 participants, including 686 in the control group and 780 in the study group. Intervention measures included mindfulness-based therapy in 4 studies and other intervention methods in 5. The anxiety status of the health workers was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the meta-analysis revealed a pooled mean difference (MD) of -0.53 (95% CI: -1.42, 0.37). Stress status was evaluated by Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4), and the meta-analysis results showed a post-treatment MD of 0.13 (95% CI: -0.39, 0.65), with a pre- and post-treatment difference MD of -0.44 (95% CI: -2.65, 1.76). Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was employed for the evaluation of fatigue. The meta-analysis results showed an MD of -6.13 (95% CI: -16.68, 4.43) for the MBI Emotional index, an MD of 5.04 (95% CI: -3.25, 13.33) for the Personal Accomplishment index, and an MD of -1.68 (95% CI: -6.50, 3.13) for the Depersonalization index.
CONCLUSIONS
Maintaining the mental health of frontline health workers is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, and mindfulness-based therapy is the most extensively employed psychological intervention method. However, its effectiveness requires further research confirmation.
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; Prospective Studies; COVID-19; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Fatigue; Psychological Tests; Self Report
PubMed: 38436194
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202402_35491 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Many of the essential practices in palliative care (PC) had to be adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. This global spread of the infectious respiratory disease, caused by...
INTRODUCTION
Many of the essential practices in palliative care (PC) had to be adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. This global spread of the infectious respiratory disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, created unprecedented obstacles. The aim of this research was to comprehensively assess the experiences and perceptions of healthcare professionals, individuals, and families in palliative and end-of-life situations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
A scoping review was conducted using the databases CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, MEDIClatina, and Portugal's Open Access Scientific Repository. The review followed the JBI methodological approach for scoping reviews.
RESULTS
Out of the initially identified 999 articles, 22 studies were included for analysis. The deprivation of relationships due to the safety protocols required to control the spread of COVID-19 was a universally perceived experience by healthcare professionals, individuals in PC, and their families. Social isolation, with significant psychological impact, including depersonalization and despair, was among the most frequently reported experiences by individuals in palliative situation. Despite healthcare professionals' efforts to mitigate the lack of relationships, the families of these individuals emphasized the irreplaceability of in-person bedside contact.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://osf.io/xmpf2/.
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; COVID-19; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38596518
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1330370 -
Women and Birth : Journal of the... May 2024A variety of technologies are used to monitor fetal wellbeing in labour. Different types of fetal monitoring devices impact women's experiences of labour and birth. (Review)
Review
How does the use of continuous electronic fetal monitoring influence women's experiences of labour? A systematic integrative review of the literature from high income countries.
BACKGROUND
A variety of technologies are used to monitor fetal wellbeing in labour. Different types of fetal monitoring devices impact women's experiences of labour and birth.
AIM
This review aims to understand how continuous electronic fetal monitoring (CEFM) influences women's experiences, with a focus on sense of control, active decision-making and mobility.
METHODS
A systematic search of the literature was conducted. Findings from qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies were analysed to provide a review of current evidence.
FINDINGS
Eighteen publications were included. The findings were synthesised into three themes: 'Feeling reassured versus anxious about the welfare of their baby', 'Feeling comfortable and free to be mobile versus feeling uncomfortable and restricted', and 'Feeling respected and empowered to make decisions versus feeling depersonalised with minimal control '. Women experienced discomfort and a lack of mobility as a result of some CEFM technologies. They often felt anxious and had mixed feelings about their baby's welfare whilst these were in use. Some women valued the data produced by CEFM technologies about the welfare of their baby. Many women experienced a sense of depersonalisation and lack of control whilst CEFM technologies were used.
DISCUSSION
Fetal monitoring technologies influence women's experiences of labour both positively and negatively. Wireless devices were associated with the most positive response as they enabled greater freedom of movement.
CONCLUSION
The design of emerging fetal monitoring technologies should incorporate elements which foster freedom of movement, are comfortable and provide women with a sense of choice and control. The implementation of fetal monitoring that enables these elements should be prioritised by health professionals.
PubMed: 38754249
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101619 -
Global estimate of burnout among the public health workforce: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Human Resources For Health May 2024Burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress. We conducted this review to estimate the pooled global prevalence of burnout among the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress. We conducted this review to estimate the pooled global prevalence of burnout among the public health workforce.
METHODS
We conducted this review as per the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We included only cross-sectional studies reporting outcome estimates among the study population. We included articles published before December 2023. We used a search strategy to systematically select the articles from PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. We assessed the quality of the studies using an adapted version of NIH's study tool assessment for cross-sectional and observational cohort studies. We estimated the pooled proportion using the random-effects model.
RESULTS
We included eight studies in our review, covering a sample size of 215,787. The pooled proportion of burnout was 39% (95% CI: 25-53%; p-value: < 0.001). We also identified high heterogeneity among the included studies in our review (I: 99.67%; p-value: < 0.001). Seven out of the eight studies were of good quality. The pooled proportion of the studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic was 42% (95% CI: 17-66%), whereas for the studies conducted during the non-pandemic period, it was 35% (95% CI: 10-60%).
CONCLUSION
In our review, more than one-third of public health workers suffer from burnout, which adversely affects individuals' mental and physical health. Burnout among the public health workforce requires attention to improve the well-being of this group. Multisite studies using standardized definitions are needed for appropriate comparisons and a better understanding of variations in burnout in various subgroups based on sociodemographic characteristics and type of work responsibilities. We must design and implement workplace interventions to cope with burnout and increase well-being.
LIMITATIONS
Due to the limited research on burnout among public health workers, we could not perform a subgroup analysis on various factors that could have contributed to burnout.
Topics: Humans; Burnout, Professional; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Personnel; Health Workforce; Prevalence; Public Health; SARS-CoV-2; Workplace
PubMed: 38773482
DOI: 10.1186/s12960-024-00917-w