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Exhaustion in Healthcare Workers after the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Marina Ruxandra Oțelea

    (Clinical Department 5, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Agripina Rașcu

    (Clinical Department 5, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
    Clinic of Occupational Medicine, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cătălin Staicu

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Lavinia Călugăreanu

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mădălina Ipate

    (Regional Center of Public Health, National Institute of Public Health, 700465 Iași, Romania)

  • Silvia Teodorescu

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Ovidiu Persecă

    (Regional Center for Public Health, National Institute of Public Health, 400349 Cluj Napoca, Romania)

  • Angelica Voinoiu

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Andra Neamțu

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Violeta Calotă

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Dana Mateș

    (National Center for Monitoring Community Risks, National Institute of Public Health, 050463 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

This study aims to identify the determinants of exhaustion of frontline and second-line healthcare workers (HCW) during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A case–control study was conducted based on an anonymously distributed questionnaire, which was completed by 1872 HCW. Exhaustion was assessed with a validated Romanian questionnaire. The Siegrist questionnaire was used to determine workload, reward and overcommitment. Frontline HCW reported significantly more frequent longer working hours ( p = 0.0009) and a better perception of the management of the risk for infection ( p = 0.0002) than second-line HCW. The effort and overcommitment scores were higher in frontline HCW (9.51 + 1.98 vs. 8.45 + 21, p < 0.001 and 16.34 ± 2.80 vs. 15.24 ± 2.94, p < 0.001, respectively) and the reward scores were lower (5.21 ± 1.522 vs. 5.99 ± 1.44, p < 0.001). In the fully adjusted regression model, age, imbalance between effort and reward, overcommitment and management of the risk of infection in the workplace were associated with the exhaustion score in each category of HCW. The number of working hours was correlated with exhaustion in frontline HCW and occupation in second-line HCW. There were more similarities than differences between frontline and second-line HCW. Even if frontline HCW had a higher risk of exhaustion, the risk was not negligible for all HCW.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Ruxandra Oțelea & Agripina Rașcu & Cătălin Staicu & Lavinia Călugăreanu & Mădălina Ipate & Silvia Teodorescu & Ovidiu Persecă & Angelica Voinoiu & Andra Neamțu & Violeta Calotă & Dana Mateș, 2022. "Exhaustion in Healthcare Workers after the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8871-:d:868474
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lorenzo Avanzi & Enrico Perinelli & Michela Vignoli & Nina M. Junker & Cristian Balducci, 2020. "Unravelling Work Drive: A Comparison between Workaholism and Overcommitment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Nicola Magnavita & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Massimo Antonelli, 2021. "A One-Year Prospective Study of Work-Related Mental Health in the Intensivists of a COVID-19 Hub Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Johannes Siegrist & Jian Li, 2016. "Associations of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Components of Work Stress with Health: A Systematic Review of Evidence on the Effort-Reward Imbalance Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, April.
    4. Giulia Lamiani & Lidia Borghi & Silvia Poli & Katia Razzini & Claudio Colosio & Elena Vegni, 2021. "Hospital Employees’ Well-Being Six Months after the COVID-19 Outbreak: Results from a Psychological Screening Program in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.
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