Impact of healthcare staff burnout on patient health outcomes and organizational outcomes during COVID-19: A scoping review

Abstract

This study conducts a scoping review to explore the impact of staff burnout on patient health outcomes, individual well-being, and organizational outcomes, with a specific focus on the healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout is recognized as a significant concern, contributing to negative psychological, health-related, behavioural, and organizational consequences for both employees and organizations. This review explores the unique vulnerability of healthcare workers to burnout due to the demands of their high-pressure roles, particularly during the pandemic. The study also examines the relationship between healthcare worker burnout and patient health outcomes, highlighting the potential risks posed by burnout to patient care quality and safety. The study's objectives encompass a scoping review of the literature, correlation of burnout with negative patient health outcomes, and recommendations for enhancing patient health outcomes by addressing burnout in healthcare settings. My results include findings from eight studies across different countries and healthcare roles. The review indicates that burnout levels were high, affecting nurses and other healthcare professionals.