Burnout Among Respiratory Therapists During COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Respiratory therapists (RTs) faced many unpredicted challenges and higher stress levels while managing critically ill patients with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study's primary objective was to evaluate the compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among RTs in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study conducted from July 2020 to August 2020 was administered to all active members of the American Association of Respiratory Care via AARConnect. RTs' characteristics including personal, job-specific, and organizational factors were collected. Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL, version 5) was used to measure compassion satisfaction and fatigue.

Results: A total of 218 participants fully completed the survey, 143 (65.6%) were female, 107 (49.1%) were between 35 and 54 years of age and 72 (33%) were above 55 years of age. Compassion satisfaction was moderate in 123 (56.4%) and high in 93 (42.7%) RTs. Higher compassion satisfaction was found in RTs who have a higher salary ( = 0.003), work overtime ( = 0.01), hold leadership positions ( < 0.001), work in research/education ( < 0.001) and work for departments that provide help in managing burnout and stress ( = 0.007) and that promote a positive work environment ( < 0.001). Burnout score was low in 90 (41.3%) and moderate in 127 (58.3%) RTs. Higher burnout was found among younger RTs ( = 0.019), those with fewer years of experience ( = 0.013) and those with less than a year at their current job ( = 0.045). Secondary traumatic stress (STS) was low in 106 (48.6%) and moderate in 112 (51.4%) RTs. Higher STS levels were noted among younger RTs ( = 0.02) and RTs with lower education levels ( = 0.016).

Conclusion: This survey study identified various personal, job and organizational related factors associated with increased compassion satisfaction as well as compassion fatigue among RTs.