scholarly journals The prevalence of stress and burnout in UK emergency ambulance service workers and its impact on their mental health and well-being

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-63
Author(s):  
Elisha Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ambulance Service ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Length Of Service ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Emergency Ambulance ◽  
Health And Well Being

<sec id="s1"> Aims: To assess the prevalence of burnout among emergency ambulance service workers in one ambulance station; to determine if there are any variances based on socio-demographic information such as gender, clinical grade and length of service; to examine the distinctions between personal, work-related and patient-related burnout; to identify current workplace interventions to reduce stress and burnout that will improve mental health and well-being. </sec> <sec id="s2"> Methods: Mixed methods ‐ the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) was utilised, measuring burnout across three domains (personal, work-related and patient-related) alongside collecting demographic information such as gender, role, full-time or part-time employment and length of service. A free-text space was available to provide opinions on causes of burnout and on how current practice can be improved; these were analysed via thematic analysis. </sec> <sec id="s3"> Results: Seventy-eight staff members completed the questionnaire. These were: 16 emergency care assistants, 15 technicians and 47 paramedics. Thirty-eight (48.7%) staff members experienced personal burnout, 42 (53.8%) experienced work-related burnout and 29 (37.1%) experienced patient-related burnout. It was found that those most at risk of burnout were full-time male employees with more than 10 years’ experience and employed within a paramedic position. Six themes were identified through thematic analysis: unnecessary callouts, shift patterns, support options, management, sickness absence and job demands. </sec> <sec id="s4"> Conclusion: Findings suggest that burnout is prevalent within the ambulance service environment and can result in long-term sickness absences and declining mental health. This requires further investigation into causation alongside consideration of preventative measures and interventions to improve ambulance service staff well-being while increasing staff resilience to prevent burnout. Support for managers in recognising symptoms of burnout is also imperative because providing them with the training to recognise a mental health issue, interpret it and promptly treat it can mean the difference between sickness absences, future PTSD, unwell staff presenting at work and staff feeling valued and supported by management. The introduction of mandatory counselling and well-being sessions was also recommended by participants to improve staff mental health and well-being and reduce instances of work-related burnout, while providing financial advantages to the ambulance service with a reduction in additional overtime and sickness payments. </sec>

scholarly journals Correction: Work-Related and Personal Factors Associated With Mental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Response: Survey of Health Care and Other Workers (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley A Evanoff ◽  
Jaime R Strickland ◽  
Ann Marie Dale ◽  
Lisa Hayibor ◽  
Emily Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND The response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created an unprecedented disruption in work conditions. This study describes the mental health and well-being of workers both with and without clinical exposure to patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being among faculty and staff at a university and academic medical center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and describe work-related and personal factors associated with their mental health and well-being. Methods: All faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows of a university, including its medical school, were invited in April 2020 to complete an online questionnaire measuring stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being. We examined associations between these outcomes and factors including work in high-risk clinical settings and family/home stressors. Results: There were 5550 respondents (overall response rate of 34.3%). Overall, 38% of faculty and 14% of staff (n=915) were providing clinical care, while 57% of faculty and 77% of staff were working from home. Among all workers, anxiety (prevalence ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.73), depression (prevalence ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.59), and high work exhaustion (prevalence ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.36) were independently associated with community or clinical exposure to COVID-19. Poor family-supportive behaviors by supervisors were also associated with these outcomes (prevalence ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.21-1.62; prevalence ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.48-1.92; and prevalence ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.44-1.64, respectively). Age <40 years and a greater number of family/home stressors were also associated with these poorer outcomes. Among the subset of clinicians, caring for patients with COVID-19 and working in high-risk clinical settings were additional risk factors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the pandemic has had negative effects on the mental health and well-being of both clinical and nonclinical employees. Mitigating exposure to COVID-19 and increasing supervisor support are modifiable risk factors that may protect mental health and well-being for all workers.

scholarly journals Work-related and Personal Factors Associated with Mental Well-being during COVID-19 Response: A Survey of Health Care and Other Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley A. Evanoff ◽  
Jaime R. Strickland ◽  
Ann Marie Dale ◽  
Lisa Hayibor ◽  
Emily Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Supervisor Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Family Home ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTObjectiveMeasure the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, work-exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being among faculty and staff at a university and academic medical center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and describe work-related and personal factors associated with mental health and well-being.DesignObservational cohort study conducted between April 17 and May 1, 2020 using a web-based questionnaire.SettingMedical and main campuses of a university.ParticipantsAll faculty, staff, and post-doctoral fellows.ExposuresWork factors including supervisor support and exposure to high-risk clinical settings; personal factors including demographics and family/home stressors.Main Outcomes and MeasuresStress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being.ResultsThere were 5550 respondents (overall response rate of 34.3%). 38% of faculty and 14% of staff (n=915) were providing clinical care, while 57% of faculty and 77% of staff were working from home. The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and work exhaustion were somewhat higher among clinicians than non-clinicians. Among all workers, anxiety, depression, and high work exhaustion were independently associated with community or clinical exposure to COVID-19 [Prevalence Ratios and 95% confidence intervals 1.37(1.09- 1.73), 1.28(1.03 - 1.59), and 1.24(1.13 - 1.36) respectively]. Poor family supportive behaviors by supervisors were also associated with these outcomes [1.40 (1.21 - 1.62), 1.69 (1.48 - 1.92), 1.54 (1.44 - 1.64)]. Age below 40 and a greater number of family/home stressors were also associated with poorer outcomes. Among the subset of clinicians, caring for patients with COVID-19 and work in high-risk clinical settings were additional risk factors.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur findings suggest that the pandemic has had negative effects on mental health and well-being among both clinical and non-clinical employees. Prevention of exposure to COVID-19 and increased supervisor support are modifiable risk factors that may protect mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals ‘The hardest job I’ve ever done’: a qualitative exploration of the factors affecting junior doctors’ mental health and well-being during medical training in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Petrie ◽  
Mark Deady ◽  
Deborah Lupton ◽  
Joanna Crawford ◽  
Katherine M. Boydell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Emotional Labour ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Background Medical practitioners can experience considerable stress and poor mental health during their careers, with doctors in training known to be particularly vulnerable. Previous research has documented work-related factors that may play a role in the mental health status of junior doctors. However, these and additional factors, need to be explored further by considering theory-driven, social, structural and contextual issues. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of junior doctors working in Australian hospitals to identify factors that impact their mental health during medical training. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 junior medical officers (JMOs) employed across six hospitals in Australia. Transcribed de-identified interviews were analysed thematically using a data-driven inductive approach. Results Four interrelated main themes were identified: i) professional hierarchies; ii) occupational stress; iii) emotional labour, and iv) taking distress home; which detail the complex affective, relational and professional experiences of JMOs. The accounts demonstrate how the social, professional and organisational dimensions of these experiences impact upon trainee’s well-being and mental health, both positively and negatively. Together, the findings document the dynamic, nuanced aspects of junior doctors’ experiences of medical training and practice and highlights the importance of relational connections and the workplace environment in shaping JMOs’ social and emotional well-being. Conclusion The current study adds to the understanding of how junior doctors navigate medical training in Australian hospitals and highlights the complexities of this experience, particularly the ways in which mental health and well-being are shaped by different elements. These findings have important implications to inform new strategies to improve JMO mental health and to leverage work and non-work contexts to better support JMOs during medical training.

scholarly journals Work-Related and Personal Factors Associated With Mental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Response: Survey of Health Care and Other Workers

10.2196/21366 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. e21366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley A Evanoff ◽  
Jaime R Strickland ◽  
Ann Marie Dale ◽  
Lisa Hayibor ◽  
Emily Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background The response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created an unprecedented disruption in work conditions. This study describes the mental health and well-being of workers both with and without clinical exposure to patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Objective The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being among faculty and staff at a university and academic medical center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and describe work-related and personal factors associated with their mental health and well-being. Methods All faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows of a university, including its medical school, were invited in April 2020 to complete an online questionnaire measuring stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being. We examined associations between these outcomes and factors including work in high-risk clinical settings and family/home stressors. Results There were 5550 respondents (overall response rate of 34.3%). Overall, 34% of faculty and 14% of staff (n=915) were providing clinical care, while 61% of faculty and 77% of staff were working from home. Among all workers, anxiety (prevalence ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.73), depression (prevalence ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.59), and high work exhaustion (prevalence ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.36) were independently associated with community or clinical exposure to COVID-19. Poor family-supportive behaviors by supervisors were also associated with these outcomes (prevalence ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.21-1.62; prevalence ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.48-1.92; and prevalence ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.44-1.64, respectively). Age <40 years and a greater number of family/home stressors were also associated with these poorer outcomes. Among the subset of clinicians, caring for patients with COVID-19 and working in high-risk clinical settings were additional risk factors. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the pandemic has had negative effects on the mental health and well-being of both clinical and nonclinical employees. Mitigating exposure to COVID-19 and increasing supervisor support are modifiable risk factors that may protect mental health and well-being for all workers.

scholarly journals Work-Related and Personal Factors Associated With Mental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Response: Survey of Health Care and Other Workers (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley A Evanoff ◽  
Jaime R Strickland ◽  
Ann Marie Dale ◽  
Lisa Hayibor ◽  
Emily Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND The response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created an unprecedented disruption in work conditions. This study describes the mental health and well-being of workers both with and without clinical exposure to patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being among faculty and staff at a university and academic medical center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and describe work-related and personal factors associated with their mental health and well-being. METHODS All faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows of a university, including its medical school, were invited in April 2020 to complete an online questionnaire measuring stress, anxiety, depression, work exhaustion, burnout, and decreased well-being. We examined associations between these outcomes and factors including work in high-risk clinical settings and family/home stressors. RESULTS There were 5550 respondents (overall response rate of 34.3%). Overall, 34% of faculty and 14% of staff (n=915) were providing clinical care, while 61% of faculty and 77% of staff were working from home. Among all workers, anxiety (prevalence ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.73), depression (prevalence ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.59), and high work exhaustion (prevalence ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.36) were independently associated with community or clinical exposure to COVID-19. Poor family-supportive behaviors by supervisors were also associated with these outcomes (prevalence ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.21-1.62; prevalence ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.48-1.92; and prevalence ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.44-1.64, respectively). Age &lt;40 years and a greater number of family/home stressors were also associated with these poorer outcomes. Among the subset of clinicians, caring for patients with COVID-19 and working in high-risk clinical settings were additional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the pandemic has had negative effects on the mental health and well-being of both clinical and nonclinical employees. Mitigating exposure to COVID-19 and increasing supervisor support are modifiable risk factors that may protect mental health and well-being for all workers.

A positive psychology study and intervention on the well-being of French PhD students in biology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Marais ◽  
Rebecca Shankland ◽  
Pascale Haag ◽  
Robin Fiault ◽  
Bridget Juniper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Human Costs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Control ◽  
Health And Well Being

In France, little data are available on mental health and well-being in academia, and nothing has been published about PhD students. From studies abroad, we know that doing a PhD is a difficult experience resulting in high attrition rates with significant financial and human costs. Here we focused on PhD students in biology at university Lyon 1. A first study aimed at measuring the mental health and well-being of PhD students using several generalist and PhD-specific tools. Our results on 136 participants showed that a large fraction of the PhD students experience abnormal levels of stress, depression and anxiety, and their mean well-being score is significantly lower than that of a British reference sample. French PhD student well-being is specifically affected by career uncertainty, perceived lack of progress in the PhD and perceived lack of competence, which points towards possible cultural differences of experiencing a PhD in France and the UK. In a second study, we carried out a positive psychology intervention. Comparing the scores of the test and control groups showed a clear effect of the intervention on reducing anxiety. We discuss our results and the possible future steps to improve French PhD students’ well-being.

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