Burnout and Depression Among UK-Based Healthcare Professionals: Insights From a 3-Year Prospective Cohort Study
George Collett1, Ashish Kotecha, Ajay Gupta
1From the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom (G.C., A.G.); Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. (A.K.); Barts Heart Centre, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom (A.G.); and Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom (A.G.).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of changes in perceived workplace support (PWS) and overall lifestyle on depression and burnout among UK-based health care professionals (HCPs) over 3 years, and the impact on staff attrition.
Methods:
The study used online surveys at baseline (July-September 2020), 4-month, and 3-year follow-up, assessing depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), burnout domains, PWS and lifestyle. The 3-year follow-up assessed intention-to-leave role.
Results:
Over 4 months ( n = 614), improved lifestyle and PWS were associated with reduced depression, and PWS was associated with reduced depersonalization. Over 3 years ( n = 309), improved lifestyle was associated with reduced depression and emotional exhaustion, and improved PWS was associated with reduced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. A unit increase in PHQ-9 score was associated with 10% increased risk of intention-to-leave within next 2 years.
Conclusions:
There is an important role of organizational-based approaches to mitigate both depressive symptoms and burnout in HCPs, with subsequent potential benefit of reduced attrition rate.
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