Abstract
Context
Providing palliative care can lead to work-related stress and ultimately to burnout.
The need for palliative care will further increase due to population aging and people
living longer with life-threatening diseases. Therefore, a healthy palliative care
workforce is vital.
Objectives
This study aims to get insight into the experienced work-related stress among healthcare
professionals providing palliative care in the Netherlands and their strategies and
needs in relation to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey among members of the Dutch Association for Palliative
Care Professionals was conducted between February and March 2020. Burnout was assessed
by the validated Burnout Assessment Tool. Self-constructed questions assessed strategies
and needs of healthcare professionals providing palliative care regarding work-related
stress.
Results
In total 179 eligible respondents responded (response rate 54%). Respondents were
mostly female (79%) and older than 50 years (66%). Most respondents were nurses (47%)
and physicians (39%). Two-thirds of respondents (69%) experienced a median level of
burnout and 2% a (very) high level. Furthermore, 7% had been on sick leave due to
burnout. Although healthcare professionals engage on average in 3.7 coping activities,
a quarter (23%) felt that these activities were not sufficient to maintain balanced.
Respondents feel a need for activities aimed at the team and organisation level such
as feeling emotionally safe within their team.
Conclusion
Symptoms of burnout are quite prevalent among healthcare professionals providing palliative
care in the Netherlands. Healthcare professionals have a need for team and organisation
approaches to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 14, 2021
Accepted:
April 8,
2021
Footnotes
Authorship: All authors participated in the design of the questionnaire. AD did the data collection. AD, LB and NR were involved in the analysis. Interpretation of the data was discussed among all authors. AD drafted the manuscript. All authors were involved in the critical revision of the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
