Abstract
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant challenges that may have exacerbated healthcare worker (HCW) burnout. To date, assessments of burnout during COVID-19 pandemic have been cross-sectional, limiting our understanding of changes in burnout. This longitudinal study assessed change across time in pediatric HCW burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether demographic and psychological factors were associated with changes in burnout. METHODS: This longitudinal study included 162 physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and medical technicians within the emergency department (ED), intensive care, perioperative, and inter-hospital transport services in a children’s hospital. HCW demographics, anxiety and personality traits were reported via validated measures. HCWs completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory in April 2020 and March 2021. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: The percentage of HCWs reporting high emotional exhaustion and/or depersonalization burnout increased significantly across time (18.5% to 28.4%, P?=?0.010). Factors associated with increased emotional exhaustion included working in the ED (P?=?0.011) or perioperative department (P?
