English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

In Malawi, there is a cadre of mid-level health workers called clinical officers (COs) who undertake duties conventionally performed by medical doctors in the wake of an acute shortage of the latter. This paper argues that excessive workload and long hours of work are psychosocial hazards at public hospitals in Malawi that contribute to occupational stress (OS) and burnout among COs. The study from which this paper is derived adopted a qualitative research design with a case study as a research strategy. The study was conducted at four district hospitals and one central hospital, which are state-owned in Malawi. This paper argues, firstly, that before the COVID-19 pandemic, COs experienced OS and burnout due to excessive workloads and long hours of work at public hospitals. Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the problem of excessive workloads and long hours of work at public hospitals. Thirdly, OS and burnout among COs are associated with various impacts that can be categorised as psychological consequences and physical consequences. The psychological and physical consequences of OS and burnout are manifestations of poor quality of life among COs, which ultimately negatively affects public health. Finally, this paper recommends formulating and implementing comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) policies at public hospitals. Among others, these OSH policies should provide frameworks for regularly assessing the impact of OSH hazards on the mental health of hospital staff and then informing the development of appropriate measures for mitigation.

How Excessive Workloads and Long Hours of Work Contribute to Occupational Stress and Burnout Among Clinical Officers at Public Hospitals in Malawi