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1 . 2021

Healthcare workers “burn-out”: diagnostic, treatment, particularities during epidemy of COVID-19

Abstract

"Burn-out" by ICD-11 - it is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Profession of healthcare workers is related to constant physical and moral stress. Due to this factor the risk of "burn-out" for healthcare workers is much higher than for people of other professions. Even before COVID-19 epidemy share of "burnt-out" healthcare workers was in RF up to 70%, in USA up to 50%. "Burn-out" has very negative consequences for professional and personal life of physicians: more professional errors, less patients satisfaction, physicians suffer from depression and anxiety, even suicides become possible. Now, the most effective approach for "burn-out" prophylaxis is creating good working environment: Less extra-hours of work, adequate salary, rational use of digital technologies (which doesn't lead to additional burden), creation of positive and supportive organizational culture, development of non-formal colleagues' communication, flexible working hours and support of autonomy at work.

In the time of COVID-19 epidemy healthcare workers meets additional stress factors, as lack of PPE, concerns about children and relatives, physical stress from work in PPE, need of "rationing" hospital resources. As a result, incidence of "burnout" is dramatically increased. For example, "depersonalization" of health care workers in RF is reached 93%. Unfortunately, proposed in RF measures are very non-specific and prepared by psychologists and psychiatrists (not by specialists in healthcare management). In relation to this situation, it is proposed to refine these recommendations taking into account international experience. These measures are divided into three main groups. First group is obligatory provision of healthcare workers by basic needs: PPE, food, transportation, children care and other needs. The second group of measures: provision of complex psychological support: support of colleagues, 24/7 "hot line" with psychologists, plan of actions in case of death of healthcare workers or his relative, guidance of management actions in case of extreme cases of "burn-out" (diagnostic and treatment). The third group of actions are measures for active, constant and positive communication of leaders with workers as: meeting with management constant feedback from workers, creation of positive communication environment in each department of hospital.

Keywords:"burn-out" of health care workers, professional consequences of "burnout", system measures for "burn-out" prophylaxis and treatment, stress factors of COVID-19

Funding. The study had no sponsor support.

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Contribution. Study conception and design - Khudova I.Yu., Ulumbekova G.E.; data collection and analysis, writing the manuscript - Khudova I.Yu.; academic advising, drawing up conclusions and practical recommendations, final approval of the version to be published - Ulumbekova G.E.

For citation: Khudova I.Yu., Ulumbekova G.E. Healthcare workers “burnout”: diagnostic, treatment, particularities during epidemy of COVID-19. ORGZDRAV: novosti, mneniya, obuchenie. Vestnik VSHOUZ [HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT: News, Views, Education. Bulletin of VSHOUZ]. 2021; 7 (1): 42-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33029/2411-8621-2021-7-1-42-62 (in Russian)

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CHIEF EDITOR
CHIEF EDITOR
Guzel E. Ulumbekova
MD, MBA from Harvard University (Boston, USA), Head of the Graduate School of Healthcare Organization and Management (VSHOUZ)

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