Ontario hospitals in crisis as severe understaffing and burnout pushes workers to the brink: study
https://tnc.news/2024/08/25/ontario-understaffing-burnout/
Ontario’s hospitals are at a breaking point, driven by severe understaffing and escalating burnout among healthcare workers, according to a new study.
The study, titled “Running on Empty,” conducted in collaboration with the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions-Canadian Union of Public Employees, paints a grim picture of the province’s healthcare system.
The report interviewed 26 healthcare workers in the province and reviewed existing literature on the healthcare sector and the effectiveness of hospitals and their workers.
“You think it can’t get any worse — and it just got worse. I was going through increasing panic attacks before work, crying before I got out of the car. I loved going to work when I first started. Now I dread it,” said a trauma department nurse who participated in the in-depth interviews.
The study cited previous research that noted increased exhaustion, burnout, fear, anxiety, and frustration among healthcare workers following the pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, the study said that healthcare workers have faced unprecedented demands.
“One of the foundations of overwork is understaffing, which leads to heavier workloads, poorer care, and increased strain from health and safety risks. In turn, they are experiencing negative physical and mental effects, including stress and anxiety,” reads the study. “Burnout and negative coping strategies have also increased, and patient care is compromised.” Continue…