Overall, 49.3% of ICU physicians and 59.4% of ICU nurses experienced high levels of in China post-pandemic.
Nearly a quarter of physicians (24.0%) and a third of nurses (32.0%) reported major depression.
High levels of perceived stress were reported by 89.2% of physicians and 78.0% of nurses.
Married ICU physicians had a lower risk of burnout compared to their unmarried counterparts.
ICU nurses who participated in epidemic prevention showed a reduced likelihood of burnout.
Working in teaching hospitals and longer patient stays in the ICU were associated with higher burnout risks among nurses.
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OBJECTIVES: In the post-pandemic era, few studies have examined among professionals in intensive care units (ICUs) in China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout and associated mental health problems, including depression and stress, among ICU physicians and nurses following the pandemic, and to explore the factors contributing to burnout.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was used in this study.
SETTING: This study was conducted in ICUs across hospitals in three distinct regions of China in 2023.
PARTICIPANTS: This study included 1488 ICU physicians and nurses, recruited through convenience sampling.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among ICU physicians and nurses, as measured by the -Human Services Survey. As secondary outcomes, we aimed to explore mental health issues, including depression, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and stress levels, measured by Cohen's .
RESULTS: A total of 1447 participants were included in the study. Among them, 676 (46.7%) were physicians and 771 (53.3%) were nurses. 333 (49.3%) physicians and 458 (59.4%) nurses were found to have overall high burnout. 162 (24.0%) physicians and 247 (32.0%) nurses reported experiencing major depression, while 603 (89.2%) physicians and 601 (78.0%) nurses reported high levels of perceived stress. ICU physicians who were married (OR=0.607, 95% CI=0.392 to 0.940) had a lower risk of burnout, while those maintaining a neutral attitude to work-life balance (OR=1.621, 95% CI=1.022 to 2.571) might experience high burnout. Female ICU nurses (OR=0.698, 95% CI=0.500 to 0.974) who actively participated in epidemic prevention (OR=0.547, 95% CI=0.344 to 0.868) exhibited a reduced likelihood of suffering burnout. Higher burnout risks in ICU nurses were associated with working in teaching hospitals (OR=1.672, 95% CI=1.113 to 2.510) and a longer length of ICU stay for patients (OR=1.789, 95% CI=1.173 to 2.730).
CONCLUSIONS: ICU physicians and nurses in China are encountering significant burnout and mental health challenges following the pandemic. Possible risk factors for burnout encompass various dimensions, including individual, occupational and organisational levels. There is an urgent need to implement effective interventions to mitigate burnout, promote mental health and enhance the overall well-being of these healthcare professionals.
Key numbers
59.4%
Prevalence of High
Among ICU nurses, the prevalence of overall high .
32.0%
Major Depression Prevalence
Among ICU nurses, the percentage reporting major depression.
89.2%
High Stress Levels
Among ICU physicians, the percentage reporting high levels of perceived stress.
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