Unravelling Stress: Insights into the Challenges Faced by Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

The medical profession is characterised by intense stress and high burnout rates, significantly impacting doctors' mental health, job satisfaction, and patient care quality. This study explores stress and burnout among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital in a tier-one city, aiming to identify key stressors, the role of experience, and coping mechanisms. A cross-sectional study involved 70 healthcare professionals at the hospital over 30 days.

The study found that 10% of participants reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, while 40% experienced high levels of depersonalisation. Despite high levels of personal achievement (84%), significant burnout persisted. Variations in burnout were observed based on years of experience and field of practice, with early-career professionals and those in medical fields experiencing higher levels of burnout.

The study highlights the complexity of burnout in healthcare settings, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to enhance coping skills and reduce stressors. Comprehensive strategies, including training programs, organisational changes, and mental health resources, mitigate burnout and improve job satisfaction and patient care. Burnout remains a significant issue among healthcare professionals, driven by high emotional demands and ineffective coping strategies. Proactive measures to enhance resilience, support, and work-life balance are essential in addressing burnout, focusing on preventive strategies to safeguard the well-being of healthcare workers and ensure high-quality patient care.