Burnout among public health workers during the COVID-19 response: Results from a follow-up survey

The public health workforce began the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a critical workforce deficit, losing 20% of staff between 2018 and 2019. This study assesses changes in burnout among a cohort of 80 public health workers in the U.S. who completed multiple assessments during the ongoing CO...

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Veröffentlicht in:PLOS Mental Health 2024-08, Vol.1 (3), p.e0000100
Hauptverfasser: Scales, Sarah Elizabeth, Kintziger, Kristina W., Stone, Kahler W., Jagger, Meredith A., Horney, Jennifer A.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:The public health workforce began the response to the COVID-19 pandemic with a critical workforce deficit, losing 20% of staff between 2018 and 2019. This study assesses changes in burnout among a cohort of 80 public health workers in the U.S. who completed multiple assessments during the ongoing COVID-19 response via Qualtrics. Self-reported burnout was assessed using a 5-point, validated, non-proprietary single-item measure. A binary burnout variable (1,2 = No; 3,4,5 = Yes) was created based on responses. Burnout direction (e.g., decreased, same, increased) was derived from changes in five-level work-related burnout scores. Factors indicating work-related exhaustion was higher among individuals reporting burnout in the follow-up survey compared to those without burnout. Baseline burnout, hours worked per week, and sleep quality were significant predictors of burnout at follow-up. A higher proportion of respondents reported burnout at follow-up than at the baseline survey. The ubiquitous nature of burnout among public health workers is a threat to the wellbeing of individuals in the workforce and the population’s health at large. Investments in expanding and supporting the public health workforce are needed.
ISSN:2837-8156
2837-8156
DOI:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000100