Burnout in mental health services in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Burnout is a consequence of chronic occupational stress. Specific work-related factors may contribute to burnout experienced by those working in mental health services (MHS), many of which have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims: To examine personal, work- and patient-related burnout among MHS staff in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore the impact of work-related conditions on burnout.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of three MHS across Ireland utilising a study-specific questionnaire, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and the Effort-Reward Imbalance scale.

Results: Of 396 participants, 270 (70.6%) were female. Moderate and high personal burnout was experienced by 244 (64.1%) participants; work-related burnout by 231 (58.5%) participants and patient-related burnout by 83 (21.5%) participants. Risk factors for both personal and work-related burnout were female gender, urban service, time spent outside main responsibilities, overcommitment, high score on the Effort-Reward Imbalance scale and intention to change job. Being younger, with high workload and deterioration of personal mental health during the pandemic was associated with higher personal burnout, whereas a lack of opportunity to talk about work-related stress contributed to work-related burnout. Fewer factors were associated with patient-related burnout, namely overcommitment, working in urban services and poorer physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions: High levels of personal and work-related burnout were found among mental health workers. The weak association with COVID-19-related factors suggest levels of burnout predated the pandemic. This has implications for MHS given the recognised additional work burden created by COVID-19.