Job satisfaction and burnout syndrome among intensive-care unit nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The severe conditions often experienced in an intensive care unit, combined with poor working conditions, increase stress and therefore decrease job satisfaction. Sustained stress in the workplace leads to the development of burnout, a syndrome characterised by three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and perceived lack of personal fulfilment.

To analyse the relationship between burnout syndrome and job satisfaction among ICU personnel. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus databases were used. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The study sample consisted of 18 quantitative primary studies conducted in the last five years. Validated questionnaires were used to assess burnout in ICU healthcare workers, the most commonly used being the Maslach Burnout Inventory. EXTRACTION METHODS: The search equation applied was: "job satisfaction AND nurs* AND burnout AND (ICU OR intensive care units)". The search was performed in October 2022. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The search returned 514 results. Only 73 articles met the eligibility criteria. After reading the title and abstract, 20 articles were selected. After reading the full texts, 12 articles remained and after the reverse search, 18 articles were finally selected. The studies reported a 50% prevalence of burnout, all three dimensions of which were heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of the study findings revealed an inverse association between burnout and job satisfaction.