Pre-pandemic staff burnout prevalence in aged care

The prevalence of staff burnout helps us assess the extent of burnout within the Australian aged care workforce. [1]  It provides valuable insights into the number of individuals affected by burnout and is important for informed decision-making by health authorities. [1]  High job demands, driven by an increasing aged care client population and the complexity of their needs, contribute significantly to the prevalence of burnout among aged care workers. [2] Understanding the prevalence of burnout among aged care staff is important for fostering a healthier and more resilient workforce. [1] Regular monitoring of prevalence over time allows for the identification of trends, which facilitate proactive interventions and the timely allocation of resources. [1, 3] Health authorities are encouraged to use prevalence data to inform policies, allocate resources efficiently, and implement proactive measures to support the wellbeing of aged care workers. [1, 3]

This evidence theme on pre-pandemic prevalence of staff burnout in aged care is a summary of one of the key topics identified by a scoping review of the staff burnout research. If you need more specific or comprehensive information on this topic, try using our PubMed searches provided below.

The 2022 scoping review found two studies on burnout prevalence among aged care workers. [4, 5] In the 2023 updated search, two additional studies have contributed to our understanding of burnout prevalence among aged care workers. [6, 7] The review findings reported varying rates of staff burnout across the aged care sector prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These range from moderate to high levels of burnout in aged care settings with approximately 30-50% of aged care staff reportedly being affected. [4, 5] In one other study, burnout was measured as individual scales of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy. [6] The most frequent profile (43.2%) for aged care workers included low levels of exhaustion, cynicism, and high levels of professional efficacy. [6]

A separate investigation into aged care managers found high levels of self-efficacy, which demonstrates a sense of control over their environment and behaviour. [7] However, it also identified elevated levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, which puts them at risk of developing burnout. [7] 

• Foster self-awareness among aged care workers to recognise signs of stress and burnout.
• Develop and employ effective coping strategies, such as mindfulness, time management, and seeking social support.
• Prioritise self-care activities and maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain long-term wellbeing in a demanding work environment.

• Develop and implement support programs that focus on the mental health and well-being of staff members.
• Establish open channels of communication for staff to express concerns and provide feedback.
• Conduct regular check-ins and performance reviews to address any issues promptly and collaboratively.
• Provide incentives to staff members (i.e. provide additional time during break) can motivate employees and make them feel appreciated.

1. Ward MM. Estimating disease prevalence and incidence using administrative data: Some assembly required. J. Rheumatol; 2013:1241-1243.  
2. Nandan C, MacDonald JB, Wiener KK. Burnout in aged care workers: The impact of work–home conflict and patient aggression. Traumatology. 2022;29(1):46.  
3. Nsubuga P, White M, Thacker S, Anderson M, Blount S, Broome C, et al. Public health surveillance: A tool for targeting and monitoring interventions disease control priorities in developing countries. 2nd ed. Washington (US): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2006. Chapter 53, Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries.
4. Estabrooks CA, Squires JE, Carleton HL, Cummings GG, Norton PG. Who is looking after mom and dad? Unregulated workers in Canadian long-term care homes. Can J Aging. 2015;34(1):47-59.  
5. Kanios A, Bocheńska-Brandt A. Occupational burnout among workers in the long-term care sector in relation to their personality traits. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;34(4):491-504.  
6. Duan Y, Song Y, Thorne TE, Iaconi A, Norton PG, Estabrooks CA, eds. The complexity of burnout experiences among care aides: A person-oriented approach to burnout patterns. Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Apr 17;11(8):1145.   
7. Laconi A, Duan Y, Tate K, Penconek T, Cummings G, Norton P, et al. Nursing home managers’ high risk of burnout. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2022;23(1):173-175.