Assessment Of Burnout, Stress, And Coping Mechanisms Among Nurses Working In Emergency And Critical Care Units

Abstract

Introduction: High-acuity nursing, especially Emergency Departments and Critical Care Unit (ECCU) nursing are recognized around the world as among the most stressful occupations. High occupational stress and ensuing burnout is a key concern to the workforce stability, retention, and quality of care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) where the healthcare system is highly dependent on both domestic and expatriate workforce, which is a direct challenge to the Human Resources for Health goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Research Objective: This study's main purpose is to assess prevalence/ severity of burnout and occupational stress on nurses in emergency and critical care in hospitals of Saudi Arabia. The study will focus on the foremost occupational and psycho-social stressors pushing nurses in these high-intensity clinical settings toward burnout.  

Research Methods: The research has adopted systematic review research design, where the quantitative prevalence data on burnout, stress, and quality of nursing work life (QNWL) in varied KSA ECCU settings has been synthesized. The level of burnout was evaluated in the three dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment) and the studies that assessed the levels of perceived stress and the effects of systemic variables, including rotating shift working schedules and ineffective managerial support on WFC. 

Conclusion: The most dominant dimension is Emotional Exhaustion (EE), where high prevalence is found to be 82.8% in some of the samples in the private sector. Moreover, organizational strain has a deadly impact on a personal life of nurses: 68% Saudi female nurses report Work-Family Conflict (WFC) and the intention to leave the workplace is significantly correlated with it. Culturally oriented coping mechanisms, which are mainly praying and quality time with friends, are the major coping mechanisms used by nurses. These individual resources are currently overwhelmed by the extreme organizational demand.