Professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement of healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rikos, Nikos^{a; *} | Mema, Erion^a | Triantafyllou, Christos^b | Kleftonikolou, Hellen^a | Mazaraki, Emmanouella^a | Gounelas, Giorgos^b | Kourlaba, Georgia^c

Affiliations: [a] Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece | [b] ECONCARE LP, Athens, Greece | [c] Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Tripoli, Greece

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Nikos Rikos, RN, MPH, PhD., Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece. E-mail: rikosn@hmu.gr, ORCID: 0000-0002-6731-8473.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of healthcare professionals has emerged as an issue of great concern. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement among healthcare professionals in two Greek hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 in two public hospitals in Greece. To assess the levels of professional quality of life, psychological well-being, and work engagement, respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL-V), the Psychological Well-being (PWB) scale, and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17). RESULTS:A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed, and 102 were returned (response rate: 68%). It was found that as burnout levels increased, the levels of work engagement decreased (rho = –0.36, p-value < 0.01). Higher levels of compassion satisfaction were associated with higher work engagement (rho = 0.48, p-value < 0.01). Multivariable analysis revealed that healthcare personnel’s contact with patients or service users exposed to or who have experienced traumatic events was associated with less positive relationships with others (and, consequently, lower levels of psychological well-being) (p-value = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS:Healthcare professionals in the two public hospitals in Greece, experienced moderate levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their psychological well-being was also found to be moderate, and their levels of work engagement were moderate to high. Supporting the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare professionals is essential for their ability to provide high-quality care in times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare professionals, Greece, professional quality of life, psychological well-being, work engagement

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230386

Journal: Work, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 613-624, 2024