Healthcare Professionals' Work-Related Stress in Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey

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.

Keywords: Palliative care; burnout; cross-sectional survey; healthcare professionals; work-related stress.