Two-plus years into the pandemic, an online survey of emergency-medicine professionals in 89 countries reveals that 62% reported one or more symptoms of COVID-19–related burnout syndrome, and 31% reported two.In a study published today in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine, the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM) surveyed 1,925 emergency-medicine physicians (84%), nurses (12%), and paramedics (2%) in January and February 2022.Sixty-two percent of all responders reported burnout, with high levels of depersonalization (47%) and emotional exhaustion (46%), but they also reported feelings of personal accomplishment (48%).
Women reported more burnout than men (64% vs 59%), as did nurses versus doctors (73% vs 60%).Younger professionals with less work experience reported more burnout, with 74% of those with less than 5 years in the field expressing distress, compared with 60% of those with 10 years of experience.
High levels of burnout were tied to frequent understaffing (70% vs 37% of those with adequate staffing) and a higher risk of wanting to leave their workplace (87% vs 40% of those who didn't want to leave).
Only 41% of respondents said they had access to support programs.The study authors said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated long-term problems with understaffing, limited resources, hospital overcrowding, and lack of recognition.