Burnout and quality of life in nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective To investigate the association between burnout and quality of life among nursing staff at intensive care units during the new coronavirus pandemic and identify the influence of sociodemographic variables. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 109 nursing staff members at intensive care units of a public hospital in Brazil. Data collection involved the administration of a sociodemographic questionnaire as well as the WHOQOL-Bref and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Results The participants presented a high state of burnout and a low score in the physical domain of the quality-of-life instrument. Men (p = 0.037), income (p = 0.011) and burnout (p < 0.001) independently influenced quality-of-life (p < 0.01). Age, being a nursing technician and working at two hospitals exerted an influence on burnout status (p < 0.05). A negative association was found between quality of life and burnout (p < 0.01). Conclusion Our findings showed that burnout due to occupational circumstances affected negatively the quality of life perceptions of nursing staff working at intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between burnout and quality of life among nursing staff at intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that the participants experienced high levels of burnout and had low scores in the physical domain of the quality-of-life instrument. Sociodemographic variables such as gender, income, and burnout significantly influenced quality of life, while factors like age, nursing technician status, and working at two hospitals influenced burnout status. There was a negative association between quality of life and burnout.