Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

• Committee Chair Name & Credentials:
  Susanna Rudy, DNP, MSN, MFS, AG-ACNP, FNP-BC, ENP, CCRN

DNP Project Abstract

Burnout During the Covid-19 Crisis: Can Peer Intervention Make a Difference?

Purpose
Evaluate the perception of burnout amongst HCWs during the pandemic. Burnout exists among HCWs yet there is no formal evaluation and treatment protocol to manage this issue. Peer intervention can reduce burnout.

Methods
10 voluntary participants completed a pre and post intervention Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) over two weeks. Interventions included follow up discussions performed face-to-face, by telephone or video conferencing. Comparison of the MBI results were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics.

Results
A reduction in the HCWs perception of burnout was noted in 2 of the 3 categories, occupational exhaustion and depersonalization. Perception of personal achievement increased. 12 HCWs volunteered, 10 HCWs remained in the study for the duration of the project, 8 engaged in peer-intervention; all 8 endorse using alcohol, prescribed medications, and/or tobacco products to cope with stress of the pandemic. All participants expressed increased awareness of their “feelings of burnout” after survey completion.

Implications for Practice
Peer intervention has a positive impact on burnout of HCWs; leadership can facilitate methods to reduce HCW burnout. Future studies should increase size of participants and length of study.