Childcare stress, burnout, intent to leave the job among health care workers during COVID 19

The findings in JAMA Network Open, suggest there is an association between reporting high Childcare stress and burnout, and programs to reduce Childcare stress may be beneficial for workers and health systems.

This survey study, coping with COVID, a brief work-life and wellness survey of US health care workers, was conducted, assessing Childcare stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, workload, and work intentions. The survey was distributed to clinicians and staff in participating health care organizations with more than 100 physicians.

In 208 organizations, physicians 26.9%, nurses 19.5%, women 67.1%, and White participants 57.9% responded with a median organizational response rate of 32%. Childcare stress was present in 21% of health care workers. Childcare stress was more frequent among racial and ethnic minority individuals and those not identifying race or ethnicity vs White respondents (25.2% vs 18.8%) and among women vs men (21.1% vs 17.9%). Those with Childcare stress had 115% greater odds of anxiety or depression, and 80% greater odds of burnout vs indidivuals without Childcare stress. High Childcare stress was associated with 91% greater odds of intent to reduce and 28% greater odds of intent to leave.

In this survey study, Childcare stress was disproportionately described across different subgroups of Health care workers and was associated with anxiety, depression, burnout, intent to reduce, and intent to leave. Addressing Childcare stress may improve health care workers quality of life and Health care workers retention and work participation.

Reference: Harry EM, Carlasare LE, Sinsky CA, et al. Childcare Stress, Burnout, and Intent to Reduce Hours or Leave the Job During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among US Health Care Workers. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(7):e2221776. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.21776.