Posted: May 1st, 2024
The link between workload and burnout among nurses
The link between workload and burnout among nurses
Workload is one of the main factors that can affect the well-being and performance of nurses. Workload refers to the amount and intensity of work demands that nurses have to cope with in their daily practice. High workload can lead to prolonged stress, fatigue, dissatisfaction, and burnout among nurses. Burnout is a psychological syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Burnout can have negative consequences for nurses’ health, quality of care, and patient safety.
According to the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), workload can be measured by the scale of quantitative demands, which assesses how often nurses have too much to do, work very fast, or work extra hours. A nationwide cross-sectional survey in Germany found that quantitative demands were positively associated with burnout among nurses, and that this relationship was moderated by personal, social, and organisational resources. Resources are factors that can help nurses cope with workload and prevent or reduce burnout. Examples of resources are workplace commitment, good working team, recognition from supervisor, and resilience.
The study also considered palliative care aspects, such as the extent of palliative care that nurses provide to patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses. Palliative care is a specialized form of care that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families by relieving pain and suffering. The study found that spending more than 20% of the working time with palliative care was associated with higher levels of burnout among nurses. This suggests that palliative care may pose additional challenges and demands for nurses, and that they may need more support and training to deal with them.
The results of this study imply that reducing workload and enhancing resources are important strategies to prevent or mitigate burnout among nurses. Additionally, the study reveals that palliative care may have an impact on nurse burnout, and that it should be considered in future studies. More research is needed to understand the specific factors that influence workload and burnout among nurses in different settings and contexts, and to develop effective interventions to improve their working conditions and well-being.
References:
Diehl E, Rieger S, Letzel S, Schablon A, Nienhaus A, Escobar Pinzon LC, et al. (2021) The relationship between workload and burnout among nurses: The buffering role of personal, social and organisational resources. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0245798. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245798
What Is Nurse Burnout? | Nursejournal.org (2023) Retrieved March 23, 2023 from https://nursejournal.org/resources/nurse-burnout/
What is Nurse Burnout? How to Prevent It – ANA Enterprise (n.d.) Retrieved October 27, 2023 from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/health-safety/nurse-burnout-and-how-to-prevent-it/
Workforce burnout and resilience in the NHS and social care (2022) Retrieved October 27, 2023 from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workforce-burnout-and-resilience-in-the-nhs-and-social-care
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