Burnout among Primary Health Care Workers during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Gorgan, Iran

Background:  Burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. During the COVID-۱۹ pandemic, primary health care (PHC) workers faced sustained service pressures and expanded responsibilities. However, city-level evidence on burnout among Iran’s PHC workforce remains limited. This study aimed to assess burnout among PHC workers in Gorgan during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in June ۲۰۲۲, included ۴۰۰ PHC workers in Gorgan. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version ۲۲. Group comparisons were performed using independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with effect sizes reported as Cohen’s d and partial η². As an exploratory descriptive analysis, mean item scores for each subscale were compared with the neutral midpoint (۳ on a ۰–۶ scale) using one-sample t-tests. All tests were two-tailed, with α=۰.۰۵. Results: The mean (±SD) item scores were ۴.۶۰±۱.۱۳ for emotional exhaustion (EE), ۵.۴۵±۰.۷۴ for depersonalization (DP), and ۳.۹۹±۰.۹۵ for personal accomplishment (PA). Mean EE and DP scores were significantly higher than the neutral midpoint (both p<۰.۰۰۱). Overall burnout scores were higher among married participants than among unmarried participants (p=۰.۰۰۲; Cohen’s d=۰.۴۰). No statistically significant differences were observed according to age, employment status, years of service, or field of study. Conclusion:  PHC workers in Gorgan reported high mean scores for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Organizational measures addressing workload and work–family demands may help reduce burnout among PHC workers. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the cross-sectional design and the single-city convenience sample.

کلیدواژه ها:

Burnout ، Primary Health Care ، Health Personnel ، COVID-۱۹