Well-being in intensive care: reflections from a multinational survey

Intensive care unit (ICU) professionals face high levels of stress, burnout, and work-related psychological strain. However, comprehensive multinational assessments of their well-being-particularly those exploring gender differences and work-life dynamics-are scarce.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted by the International Women in Intensive and Critical Care Network (iWIN) between October 2023 and June 2024. The 113-item questionnaire assessed well-being using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and other validated instruments across eight domains. ICU professionals were recruited via email, professional meetings, and the iWIN website. Descriptive statistics, T-tests, chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for analysis.

One hundred fifty-eight ICU professionals from diverse roles responded (62% female, 37% male, 1% other). The median WHO-5 score was 68 (IQR 52-80); males reported significantly higher scores than females (72 vs. 60; p = 0.0051). Respondents reported high workload, moderate job autonomy, and frequent stress. Temporary employment was common, with 41.1% considering job transfers. Despite generally positive diversity ratings, gender disparities remained in perceptions of hiring, promotion, and career advancement fairness.

This exploratory survey found generally positive well-being among ICU professionals, with a gender difference observed in WHO-5 scores. Concerns related to workload, job insecurity, and career development were also reported. Findings should be interpreted with caution and warrant further investigation.