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Distress, demoralization, and fulfillment among palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2023

Michael Tang Open the ORCID record for Michael Tang [Opens in a new window] ,
Sujin Ann-Yi ,
Donna S. Zhukovsky ,
Bryan Fellman  and
Eduardo Bruera
Michael Tang*
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Sujin Ann-Yi
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Donna S. Zhukovsky
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Bryan Fellman
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
Eduardo Bruera
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
*
Corresponding author: Michael Tang; Email: MJTang@mdanderson.org
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Abstract

Objectives

Prolonged distress is a risk factor for burnout among health-care providers (HCP) and may contribute to demoralization. We examined sources of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with demoralization.

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional survey of HCP was conducted among palliative care providers of an academic medical center. Participants completed a survey evaluating sources of distress and the Demoralization Scale-II (DS-II) to measure the intensity of demoralization.

Results

Of 106 eligible participants, 74 (70%) completed the survey. DS-II median (range) score was 2 (0–19). There were no statistically significant associations with demographic characteristics. Participants reported high rates of distress for multiple reasons and high rates of sense of fulfillment (90%) and satisfaction (89%) with their profession.

Significance of results

Our study identified high levels of distress but low demoralization rates. Further study to evaluate fulfillment and satisfaction as protective factors against demoralization and burnout is indicated.

Keywords

DemoralizationburnoutCOVID-19fulfillmentpalliative care
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , June 2024 , pp. 482 - 486
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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