The following is the summary of “Well-Being Among Respiratory Therapists in an Academic Medical Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic” published in the December 2022 issue of Respiratory Care by Roberts,  et al.

High rates of burnout among respiratory therapists (RTs) have been recently documented, with serious consequences for patient treatment, outcomes, and the healthcare workforce. During the COVID-19 epidemic, researchers aimed to learn more about RT happiness. Finding out how often burnout and dissatisfaction with one’s career are among intensive care unit RTs and understanding what factors contribute to these states were the goals of this research. Researchers used a mixed-methods design, including semi-structured interviews with 10 ICU RTs at a single health center in April and May 2021 and a quarterly survey of critical-care medical professionals from July 2020 to May 2021. Researchers used multivariate analyses to examine how RTs’ happiness stacks up against other professions and how it has changed over time. Researchers used thematic analysis to decipher the content of in-depth interviews, and then mapped the resulting concepts onto Maslow’s hierarchy of wants.

About 108 RTs participated in at least one quarterly survey. 75%   (82 people) had burnout, 36% (people) were happy in their jobs, and 58% (people) were depressed. In multivariate analysis, RTs had a significantly higher risk of burnout (odds ratio 2.32; 95% CI 1.41-3.81) and depression (odds ratio 2.73; 95% CI 1.65-4.51), and a lower risk of fulfillment (odds ratio 0.51; 95% CI 0.31-0.85) compared to other doctors. Staffing issues, safety worries, conflicts, and an imbalance between work and personal life all contributed to employee burnout, as did a lack of a healthy work-life balance. Care for patients, applying expertise, feeling valued as part of a team, and having a meaningful career mission all contributed to a sense of accomplishment and accomplishment. 

Researchers compared the identified themes to Maslow’s hierarchy of requirements and found that when one’s needs were met, one felt fulfilled in their work, whereas when they were not, one felt burned out. Researchers conclude that the pandemic increased the rate of burnout among ICU RTs. Institutions should create and implement plans to lessen burnout at all levels of RT staff in order to meet patient demands.

Source: rc.rcjournal.com/content/67/12/1588