Burnout and Patient Care Quality: a Systematic Review of the Impact on Healthcare Workers

This systematic review articulates the intricate correlation between healthcare worker (HCW) burnout and the quality of patient care, drawing from extensive research conducted from 2010 onward across diverse healthcare settings. Burnout – characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment – emerges from chronic workplace stress and has been linked to a myriad of adverse outcomes. Notably, it impairs HCWs' cognitive functions and empathy levels, which may lead to decreased patient care quality and satisfaction. Through a rigorous literature search involving 440 publications with 13 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, the review identifies a multifaceted relationship where higher burnout levels are correlated with diminished patient care quality. Key findings include the impact of work engagement, mental resilience, and supportive work environments in potentially mitigating burnout effects, thereby enhancing patient care quality. Conversely, factors like depression and turnover intention among HCWs pose significant risks, which might exacerbate burnout and negatively affect care outcomes. This research underscores the pivotal role of supportive work environments and the implementation of resource-conservation strategies based on the conservation of resources theory to counteract burnout. The findings advocate for holistic policy interventions aimed at bolstering HCW well-being and patient care standards – emphasizing the need for a concerted effort from healthcare systems, policymakers, and stakeholders to address this critical issue.