Women in Healthcare Face Higher Stress and Burnout Rates, Study Reveals
A current systematic review discovered that females in the healthcare sector have a significantly higher level of stress and burnout than their male counterparts. Leigh Frame, associate director of the George Washington University Resiliency and Well-being Center, led this wide-ranging analysis, which synthesized the findings of 71 studies conducted in twenty-six different countries and also published in multiple languages between 1979 and 2022.
The review was initiated due to the higher exposure to medical burnout throughout the pandemic. Studies examined included those of female doctors, nurses, clinical social workers, and mental health providers. This particular research is the very first to investigate work-related stress and the overall well-being of female health workers.
The review mentions gender and home-work life imbalance and limited workplace autonomy as the top 3 stressors for women in healthcare. Aside from restricting professional success, these stressors could cause toxic stress, depression, occupational burnout, anxiety and, in a number of instances, even suicidal ideation.
An outrageous instance of gender inequality mentioned in the review is the widespread notion that all women in scrubs are nurses rather than medical doctors, an indignity that only adds to the already increasing pressures. Along with full-time working hours along with several shifts, home duties, including childcare and housekeeping, are usually challenging for female healthcare professionals.
The review also discovered that women in healthcare are commonly faced with taking care of medically complex individuals who need more emotionally invested effort and time in settings with high turnover rates.
However, the review identifies protective factors that can reduce burnout and stress. Benefits consist of an open and encouraging work environment, personal development and mindfulness meditation methods. Additionally, self-care methods, including quality restorative sleep, regular exercise, a plant-rich and fresh food diet, were effective.
The results emphasize the need for employers to become engaged in identifying obstacles to preventing burnout among female healthcare workers. If the case is not dealt with, these problems could go on to produce workforce shortages, which further strain health systems.
The review suggests systemic changes to deal with mental health and wellness of female clinicians for a healthy future of healthcare delivery.
HelloHealth, is aiming to change the way healthcare facilities deal with burnout. HelloHealth makes patient engagement simpler so professionals have more time for self-care and patient interaction.
The app allows for streamlined workflows with features including appointment scheduling, virtual patient intake, telehealth, and secure messaging – addressing some of the most common stressors for healthcare workers. With a design focused on reducing the time spent on administrative tasks, HelloHealth is exactly the right tool for your practice.
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