Are signs of burnout and stress in palliative care workers different from other clinic workers?

Objectives: Palliative care workers have continuous exposure to the emotionally draining effects of pain, suffering, death, grief, and mourning. Burnout syndrome is common among these individuals who accompany patients on the way to death. This study evaluated burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression among care givers.

Methods: A total of 47 individuals working in palliative care units or internal disease and neurology clinics participated in the study. The participants were divided into 2 groups: palliative care workers (Group P) and workers in internal disease and neurology clinics (Group A). All of the participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Beck anxiety and depression scales, and the Stress Appraisal Measure.

Results: A total of 47 healthcare workers agreed to complete the scales. Emotional burnout and desensitization scores were found to be elevated, and personal success scores were low in both groups. The Beck Anxiety Inventory revealed findings of moderate anxiety in both groups, while cognitive-sensorial, physiological, and pain complaints, as well as signs of stress, were more pronounced in Group A.

Conclusion: Burnout is a significant problem among healthcare workers and signs of stress and cognitive-sensorial, physiological, and pain complaints are particularly common among those working in palliative care units. Structural arrangements aimed at addressing the causes of burnout could positively affect the well-being of healthcare workers.