| Abstract |
Δημόσια Υγεία-Πρωτοβάθμια Φροντίδα Υγείας-Υπηρεσίες Υγείας
Ιατρική Σχολή–Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
vi
Abstract
Title: Burnout and occupational stress in female healthcare professionals during the
COVID-19 pandemic. A new pandemic?
By: Athanasopoulou Maria-Angeliki (Mariangela)
Supervisors: 1. Sifaki - Pistolla Dimitra
2. Souliotis Kyriakos
3. Lionis Christos
Date :
Background: The unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant
impact on the mental health of working healthcare professionals. Levels of work stress
and burnout, according to relevant scientific studies, were particularly elevated. The
study of racial differences in levels of work stress and burnout among health care
professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic is noteworthy. Female health
professionals are expected to have increased levels of work stress and burnout. A study
of this phenomenon is deemed necessary.
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of levels of burnout and work
stress in women working in health services in Greece during a pandemic. In addition,
the following sub-objectives were defined: To examine differences in levels of burnout
and work stress between female and male health care workers (administrators,
physicians and health care professionals).
Methods: The present study was a national observational study and in particular a
synchronic study with a retrospective character. The present master's thesis is part of a
larger national study coordinated by the supervisor, which formulated broader aims
than those adopted by this master's thesis, which focused on women health
professionals. The methodological approach adopted was mixed, including both a
quantitative and a qualitative component. In the quantitative study, a sample of 3992
individuals (1996 per first stratum, i.e. per gender) was taken, who were asked to
complete a questionnaire consisting of a gender questionnaire with questions recording
socio-demographic data of the sample, their habits and job characteristics, combined
with the weighted Maslach burnout questionnaire (Greek version), the Maslach Burnout
Inventory (M. B.I.), the depression-anxiety-stress questionnaire (DASS-21) and the
occupational stress questionnaire (ASSET-for organisational stress screening). Statistical analysis was implemented in IBM SPSS 26, and all tests performed were
two-sided at the level of statistical significance α=0.05.
In the qualitative study, a total of 4 focus groups were set up. Three focus groups
had only female participants (n= 5 people per focus group) and the fourth focus group
had a mixed group of women and men (n= 6 people, 3 women and 3 men). These
participants participated in both Part A and after an open invitation they accepted to
participate in Part B. Then, thematic qualitative content analysis was applied.
Results: In the following thesis, although in the majority of questions there was no
statistically significant difference between the two genders, in the question "who do
you think has the responsibility of caring for the children" there was a statistically
significant difference (Pvalue=0.04). 45.34% of men stated that mothers have the
responsibility and 2.35% stated that only the father has the responsibility, while 40.13%
of women stated "the mother" but only 0.7% stated only the father. In addition,
secondary questions such as smoking where the majority (51.7%) were either active
smokers or former smokers showed significant statistical difference (Pvalue = 0.04)
between genders. Subsequently, statistically significant difference was shown between
the two genders in terms of pandemic outcome such as anxiety, depression etc. The
male population showed low samples of outcomes compared to females where they
showed high/very high samples of outcomes such as depression, in which it was
observed that females are 3.71 more likely to develop depression compared to males.
The qualitative research showed that both genders perceive the COVID-19 pandemic
as an unprecedented stressful situation with women focusing on their multidimensional
roles as workers, mothers, wives, etc. As well as the pressure of the inequality they face
in the health sector such as evolution compared to men.
Conclusions: The pandemic and the quarantine period appear to have had a significant
impact on the levels of burnout and work stress among health professionals, with the
female population showing higher levels of stress compared to the male population.
According to the results, the needs and preferences of female health professionals, a
range of measures should be taken to improve the way of coping with similar future
situations as well as psychological support for health professionals, especially female
health professionals. In particular, there should be a strengthening of state mechanisms
and appropriate training of health professionals so that they all respond appropriately
to such crises. Subsequently, it is also important to provide psychological support for all health professionals and to offer additional support mechanisms for mothers. The
management/administration concerned should assume responsibility for the services in
order to ensure equality and equity between the sexes and to control any kind of
violence that might be perpetrated. At the same time, the organisation of group sessions
for the assistance and discussion of mothers by health professionals and the provision
of in-work facilities for children and working mothers are also considered to be of great
importance
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