Dataset Information

Guilt, tears and burnout-Impact of UK care home restrictions on the mental well-being of staff, families and residents.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the pandemic on the emotional and mental well-being of family carers, care home staff and residents, in light of changing restrictions, increased testing and vaccination rollout in the UK.

Design

Longitudinal, qualitative semi-structured interview study.

Methods

Remote semi-structured interviews were conducted with family carers of care home residents with dementia and care home staff from different care homes across the UK. Baseline and follow-up interviews were conducted in October/November 2020 and March 2021, respectively. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis involving members of the public with caring experiences.

Results

In all, 42 family carers and care home staff participated at baseline, with 20 family carers and staff followed up. We identified four themes: (1) Developing anger and frustration; (2) Impact on relationships; (3) Stress and burnout; and (4) Behavioural changes, and perceived impact on residents. The mental health of everyone involved, including family carers, care home staff and residents, has been negatively affected, and relationships between family carers and staff have been severely strained. There was a general lack of adequate mental health support, with little relief.

Conclusions

The pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the lives of those surrounding care homes-from residents and staff to family carers. Consideration should be given on how to best support the mental health needs of all three groups, by providing adequate easily accessible mental health care for all. This should also focus on rebuilding the relationships between family carers and care home staff.

Impact

This is the first paper to highlight the effects of the long-lasting and miscommunicated restrictions on residents, carers and care home staff, and highlight the urgent need for continued mental health support.

SUBMITTER: Giebel C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9303866 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:OBJECTIVES:To determine the prevalence of burnout in doctors practising obstetrics and gynaecology, and assess the association with defensive medical practice and self-reported well-being. DESIGN:Nationwide online cross-sectional survey study; December 2017-March 2018. SETTING:Hospitals in the UK. PARTICIPANTS:5661 practising obstetrics and gynaecology consultants, specialty and associate specialist doctors and trainees registered with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:Prevalence of burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and defensive medical practice (avoiding cases or procedures, overprescribing, over-referral) using a 12-item questionnaire. The odds ratios (OR) of burnout with defensive medical practice and self-reported well-being. RESULTS:3102/5661 doctors (55%) completed the survey. 3073/3102 (99%) met the inclusion criteria (1462 consultants, 1357 trainees and 254 specialty and associate specialist doctors). 1116/3073 (36%) doctors met the burnout criteria, with levels highest amongst trainees (580/1357 (43%)). 258/1116 (23%) doctors with burnout reported increased defensive practice compared with 142/1957 (7%) without (adjusted OR 4.35, 95%?CI 3.46 to 5.49). ORs of burnout with well-being items varied between 1.38 and 6.37, and were highest for anxiety (3.59, 95%?CI 3.07 to 4.21), depression (4.05, 95%?CI 3.26 to 5.04) and suicidal thoughts (6.37, 95%?CI 95%?CI 3.95 to 10.7). In multivariable logistic regression, being of younger age, white or 'other' ethnicity, and graduating with a medical degree from the UK or Ireland had the strongest associations with burnout. CONCLUSIONS:High levels of burnout were observed in obstetricians and gynaecologists and particularly among trainees. Burnout was associated with both increased defensive medical practice and worse doctor well-being. These findings have implications for the well-being and retention of doctors as well as the quality of patient care, and may help to inform the content of future interventions aimed at preventing burnout and improving patient safety.