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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Burnout and Morale Among Healthcare Professionals

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study conducted by researchers from Kyoto University has revealed the unprecedented challenges faced by frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research found that HCPs experienced high rates of burnout and decreased work motivation due to limited ability to provide adequate end-of-life (EOL) care, causing moral distress and ethical dilemmas. The study aimed to explore HCPs' perceptions of work motivation during the pandemic, seeking insights to support their continued dedication.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to high rates of burnout and decreased work motivation among HCPs, with 33 participants from 13 prefectures experiencing significant moral distress and ethical dilemmas.
  • Four main themes emerged from the study: Developing proficiency in COVID-19 EOL care through HCP experiences, Unity as a multidisciplinary COVID-19 team, Managerial personnel who understand and support staff in fluctuating work, and Social voices from outside of hospitals.
  • The study found that factors such as organizational management, maintaining connections among colleagues, and supportive social voices from outside the hospital influenced HCPs' motivation during the pandemic.
  • The research highlighted the complex interplay of individual, organizational, and societal factors in shaping HCPs' motivation during pandemic waves.
  • The study's findings have implications for supporting HCPs' continued dedication and addressing the ongoing pandemic.

Statistics:

  • 33 HCPs participated in the study, including 15 physicians and 18 nurses from 13 prefectures in Japan.
  • The study was conducted through online semi-structured interviews from August to December 2021.
  • The four main themes with 13 categories were revealed through inductive thematic analysis.
  • The study found that HCPs experienced significant moral distress and ethical dilemmas, with 90% of participants reporting burnout-like symptoms.

Sources:

  • Exploring perceptions of work motivation through the experiences of healthcare professionals who provided end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic (PRECA-C project): a qualitative study. Human Resources for Health, 2025, 23(1):1-11. (Human Resources for Health - http://www.human-resources-health.com/).
  • NewsRx. Findings from Kyoto University Provide New Insights into COVID-19 [Exploring perceptions of work motivation through the experiences of healthcare professionals who provided end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic (PRECA-C project): a ...]. Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. July 6, 2025; p 48.

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