Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2022 Jun;27(1):28-34. 10.14192/kjicp.2022.27.1.28.

Burnout among Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

• Hwang S
• Kwon KT

• KMID: 2530823
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2022.27.1.28

Abstract

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues to spread, the burnout of healthcare workers responding to COVID-19 cases is becoming a serious problem. This study reviewed the literature on the burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk factors for burnout included fear and anxiety, depression, and stress caused by the thought that COVID-19 could be transmitted to the workers themselves, lack of experience in treating COVID-19, and excessive workload. The burden of wearing personal protective equipment might also be a risk factor for burnout. To prevent burnout of healthcare workers during an outbreak of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, strategies and systems such as providing education and training for novel virus diseases, securing reserve medical personnel, and preparing an appropriate compensation system are absolutely necessary. Additionally, comprehensive plans for an adequate healthcare response to tackling emerging infectious diseases need to be established at the national and local Government levels and in individual medical institutions.

Keyword

Burnout; COVID-19; Health personnel; Emotional exhaustion