The prevalence of burnout and the COVID-19 risk exposure control measure among health workers during pandemic in hospitals in Thailand

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout among health workers and evaluate the COVID-19 risk exposure control (REC) measures as preventive strategies in hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate healthcare personnel involved in patient care across 30 hospitals, assessing their perception of preventive measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure risk based on the hierarchy of hazard control principles, along with evaluations of knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Additionally, personnel were assessed for burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and the data were analyzed for associations using the Generalized Linear Model (GLM). The study found that among 3,086 personnel from 30 public and private hospitals, most hospitals had a high level of perceived implementation of COVID-19 exposure control measures. The majority of participants were nurses, practical nurses, or nurse aides (53.3%), while physicians accounted for 1.1%. The prevalence of burnout was 7.3%, comprising 6.2% with high burnout and 1.1% with moderate burnout, respectively. In addition, burnout was categorized into three groups: overextended (4.0%), disengaged (4.9%), and ineffective (24.4%). Being aged 40 years or younger increased the risk of high burnout by 1.6 times (95% CI: 1.1–2.3) and COVID-19-related anxiety also increased the risk of high burnout by 1.6 times (95% CI: 1.4–1.9). Whereas practice scores and effective COVID-19 risk exposure control measures reduced high burnout by 13% and 4.7%, respectively. The study found that burnout affects work errors. Effective COVID-19 exposure control measures are another strategy that helps reduce burnout, minimize work errors, and maintain high standards of patient care during a pandemic.