Burnout syndrome and anxiety among healthcare workers during global pandemics: An umbrella review

doi:10.13105/wjma.v11.i7.368

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World Journal of Meta-Analysis

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2308-3840

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World J Meta-Anal. Dec 18, 2023; 11(7): 368-379
Published online Dec 18, 2023. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v11.i7.368

Burnout syndrome and anxiety among healthcare workers during global pandemics: An umbrella review

Clayton Yang Teng Bey, Jin-Uu Koh, Christopher Wai Keung Lai

Clayton Yang Teng Bey, Jin-Uu Koh, Christopher Wai Keung Lai, Health and Social Science Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Dover Drive 138683, Singapore

Co-first authors: Clayton Yang Teng Bey and Jin-Uu Koh.

Author contributions: Lai CWK, Bey CYT and Koh JU conceived, designed and refined the study protocol; Bey CYT and Koh JU were involved in the data collection; Lai CWK, Bey CYT and Koh JU analysed the data; Lai CWK, Bey CYT and Koh JU drafted the manuscript; all authors were involved in the critical review of the results and have contributed to, read, and approved the final manuscript. Bey CYT and Koh JU contributed equally to this work as co-first authors. The reason for designating Bey CYT and Koh JU as co-first authors is because Bey CYT and Koh JU contributed efforts of equal substance throughout the research process. The choice of these researchers as co-first authors acknowledges and respects this equal contribution, while recognizing the spirit of teamwork and collaboration of this study. In summary, we believe that designating Bey CYT and Koh JU as co-first authors is fitting for our manuscript as it accurately reflects our team's collaborative spirit, equal contributions, and diversity.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest.

PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.

Corresponding author: Christopher Wai Keung Lai, PhD, Associate Professor, Health and Social Science Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Dover Drive 138683, Singapore. chris.lai@singaporetech.edu.sg

Received: October 26, 2023
Peer-review started: October 26, 2023
First decision: November 9, 2023
Revised: November 15, 2023
Accepted: December 11, 2023
Article in press: December 11, 2023
Published online: December 18, 2023
Processing time: 48 Days and 22.9 Hours

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Burnout syndrome and anxiety are two mental health symptoms experienced by healthcare workers (HCWs) that can be exacerbated during pandemics due to increased job demands and the global health workforce crisis.

AIM

To provide a comprehensive review and summary of evidence on burnout and anxiety in HCWs during previous global pandemics.

METHODS

A systematic search on electronic databases such as PubMed Central and MEDLINE was conducted to identify high-quality systematic review studies that reported on the prevalence of burnout and/or anxiety in HCWs during any previous global pandemic.

RESULTS

Twenty-four high quality systematic review articles were found to be suitable for inclusion. Twenty articles focused merely on Coronavirus disease 2019, while four articles examined multiple pandemics. Burnout was examined in nine articles, while anxiety was examined in the remaining 21 articles. Female HCWs and nurses were identified to be at a higher risk of developing burnout and anxiety during pandemic. We also observed a variation in the prevalence of burnouts and anxiety across different studies due to different mental health instruments were used in different studies.

CONCLUSION

Nurses and females HCWs had a high prevalence of burnout syndrome and anxiety during pandemic. More emphasis and attention should be paid to safeguarding the psychological well-being of these at-risk populations in the future pandemics.

Keywords: Burnout; Anxiety; Pandemics; COVID-19

Core Tip: During the pandemic, burnout syndrome and anxiety were highly prevalent among nurses and other female healthcare professionals. More emphasis and attention should be directed to protecting the psychological well-being of these at-risk populations in the event of future pandemics. This study has implications for healthcare stakeholders, advising them to prioritize safeguarding the psychological health of those who are vulnerable to pandemics in the future.