Impact of, and mitigation measures for, burnout in frontline healthcare workers during disasters: A mixed-method systematic review

Burnout levels and correlates among healthcare providers in Syria following the 2023 Turkish-Syrian earthquakes: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

This article examines the prevalence of burnout among healthcare providers in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Syria and Turkey and explores the associated risk factors.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 270 healthcare providers in three Syrian cities damaged by earthquakes. Participants were asked to fill out a validated questionnaire on the fifth day of emergency response using the Geldard Occupational Burnout questionnaire.

Results

The mean score for the Geldard Occupational Burnout Questionnaire was 129.79, with 81.4% indicating moderate burnout risk and only 3% indicating high risk. Gender was not significantly associated with burnout, but there was a significant difference in burnout scores between city groups, with Latakia scoring significantly lower than Aleppo.

Conclusion

This study highlights the prevalence of burnout among healthcare providers in the aftermath of an earthquake in Syria, with the majority having a moderate risk of burnout. Gender was not significantly associated with burnout risk. Further research is needed to develop effective interventions and address study limitations. The study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing healthcare providers' mental health to ensure high-quality care after natural disasters.

What are effective strategies to respond to the psychological impacts of working on the frontlines of a public health emergency?

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the healthcare and public health sectors. The impact of working on the frontlines as a healthcare or public health professional has been well documented. Healthcare organizations must support the psychological and mental health of those responding to future public health emergencies.

Objective

This systematic review aims to identify effective interventions to support healthcare workers' mental health and wellbeing during and following a public health emergency.

Methods

Eight scientific databases were searched from inception to 1 November 2022. Studies that described strategies to address the psychological impacts experienced by those responding to a public health emergency (i.e., a pandemic, epidemic, natural disaster, or mass casualty event) were eligible for inclusion. No limitations were placed based on study design, language, publication status, or publication date. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion and a third reviewer when needed. Results were synthesized narratively due to the heterogeneity of populations and interventions. Outcomes were displayed graphically using harvest plots.

Results

A total of 20,018 records were screened, with 36 unique studies included in the review, 15 randomized controlled trials, and 21 quasi-experimental studies. Results indicate that psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and mind-body interventions may reduce symptoms of anxiety, burnout, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with the lowest risk of bias found among psychotherapy interventions. Psychoeducation appears most promising to increase resilience, with mind-body interventions having the most substantial evidence for increases in quality of life. Few organizational interventions were identified, with highly heterogeneous components.

Conclusion

Promoting healthcare workers' mental health is essential at an individual and health system level. This review identifies several promising practices that could be used to support healthcare workers at risk of adverse mental health outcomes as they respond to future public health emergencies.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=203810, identifier #CRD42020203810 (PROSPERO).