PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS ENGAGED IN COVID 19 PANDEMIC WORKING IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN ASSAM

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed an unprecedented workload on healthcare workers, and their mental health and job satisfaction were deeply impacted. The present study analyzes psychological distress and job satisfaction in 150 healthcare workers working in Jorhat Medical College, Assam, which include doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, cleaners, and ward boys/girls. Chronic exposure to pandemic stressors resulted in burnout, emotional exhaustion, and anxiety, the greatest distress among which was borne by support staff and laboratory technologists because of poor support, reduced pay, and risk of infection. Despite higher professional commitment among doctors and nurses, professional satisfaction was found relatively higher because of professional commitment, but aggregate satisfaction decreased for all groups on account of outrageous workloads and poor mental health care. The results underscore the necessity for focused interventions, including mental health initiatives, redistribution of workload, and enhanced workplace policies, to promote well-being and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals.