Occupational burnout among radiographers in Urmia hospitals, Iran: a study two and a half years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background & Aims: This study was conducted two and a half years after the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to evaluate the occupational burnout rates among radiographers of Urmia hospitals in Iran, and to investigate the factors influencing their mental health and burnout during this period. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed in three sections: the first part collected data on sociodemographic characteristics; the second section included questions related to the participants' COVID-19 conditions, and the last part included the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to evaluate the occupational burnout rates among respondents. A total of 142 responses were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent samples t-test in SPSS version 20. Results: The mean (± SD) scores for subscales of burnout including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment were 15.19 (± 12.60), 3.11 (± 4.25), and 35.28 (± 9.54), respectively. Factors associated with COVID-19, as well as income and maternal status, showed the strongest correlation with the subscales of burnout. Conclusion: Although, at the time of our study, there was a significant decrease in the number of new COVID-19 cases, stress related to the coronavirus was still common among radiographers. This highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring of staff mental health over extended periods. Implementing measures such as providing adequate facilities to reduce the risk of infection transmission, along with ensuring fair compensation and appropriate salaries during crises, can significantly improve the mental health of healthcare workers.