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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Affective Disorder | Research

Symptoms of burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak

Authors: Elie Azoulay, Jan De Waele, Ricard Ferrer, Thomas Staudinger, Marta Borkowska, Pedro Povoa, Katerina Iliopoulou, Antonio Artigas, Stefan J. Schaller, Manu Shankar Hari, Mariangela Pellegrini, Michael Darmon, Jozef Kesecioglu, Maurizio Cecconi, ESICM

Published in: Annals of Intensive Care | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented healthcare crisis with a high prevalence of psychological distress in healthcare providers. We sought to document the prevalence of burnout syndrome amongst intensivists facing the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey among intensivists part of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine. Symptoms of severe burnout, anxiety and depression were collected. Factors independently associated with severe burnout were assessed using Cox model.

Results

Response rate was 20% (1001 completed questionnaires were returned, 45 years [39–53], 34% women, from 85 countries, 12 regions, 50% university-affiliated hospitals). The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression or severe burnout was 46.5%, 30.2%, and 51%, respectively, and varied significantly across regions. Rating of the relationship between intensivists and other ICU stakeholders differed significantly according to the presence of anxiety, depression, or burnout. Similar figures were reported for their rating of the ethical climate or the quality of the decision-making. Factors independently associated with anxiety were female gender (HR 1.85 [1.33–2.55]), working in a university-affiliated hospital (HR 0.58 [0.42–0.80]), living in a city of > 1 million inhabitants (HR 1.40 [1.01–1.94]), and clinician’s rating of the ethical climate (HR 0.83 [0.77–0.90]). Independent determinants of depression included female gender (HR 1.63 [1.15–2.31]) and clinician’s rating of the ethical climate (HR 0.84 [0.78–0.92]). Factors independently associated with symptoms of severe burnout included age (HR 0.98/year [0.97–0.99]) and clinician’s rating of the ethical climate (HR 0.76 [0.69–0.82]).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an overwhelming psychological impact on intensivists. Follow-up, and management are warranted to assess long-term psychological outcomes and alleviate the psychological burden of the pandemic on frontline personnel.

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Title: Symptoms of burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Elie Azoulay
Jan De Waele
Ricard Ferrer
Thomas Staudinger
Marta Borkowska
Pedro Povoa
Katerina Iliopoulou
Antonio Artigas
Stefan J. Schaller
Manu Shankar Hari
Mariangela Pellegrini
Michael Darmon
Jozef Kesecioglu
Maurizio Cecconi
ESICM
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Affective Disorder
Care
Affective Disorder
COVID-19
Burnout Syndrome
Anxiety
Published in: Annals of Intensive Care / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2110-5820
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-020-00722-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Symptoms of burnout in intensive care unit specialists facing the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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