Annual Healthcare Professionals Survey
Each year, Mental Health Australia commissions a survey to investigate the mental health of healthcare workers. The survey coincides with World Mental Health Day (10 October), a time for all of us to reflect on our mental health.
The survey data provides a year-by-year snapshot of the wellbeing of health care workers during the years of the pandemic. Mental Health’s annual survey shows burnout rates have remained high over the last three years - 84 per cent in 2022, 86 per cent in 2021 and 80 per cent in 2020.
Key findings from 2022 include:
- 84 per cent of respondents said working in healthcare during the pandemic increased the amount of stress and pressure in the workplace.
- 45 per cent sought mental health support mainly from their personal networks of family and friends.
- Half of the health professionals surveyed claimed to have left their job due to COVID-19-related issues in the workplace.
- 78 per cent were impacted by staff shortages at their place of work.
When asked about the specific reasons for experiencing staff shortages:
- 68 per cent reported people were on sick leave due to burnout, stress, and other mental health conditions
- 66 per cent said people were missing work to recover from COVID-19 and other illnesses
- 53 per cent claim more people are leaving the healthcare profession.
Of the healthcare workers experiencing burnout:
- 93 per cent report feeling tiredness and fatigue
- 74 per cent feel overwhelmed, anxious, or fearful
- 68 per cent struggle with sleep problems and lack of energy to participate in socialising
Download the key findings from 2022 and how they compare with previous years
2020 media release - Support from friends and family crucial to health workers’ wellbeing
| Attachment | Kind | Size |
|---|---|---|
 Annual Healthcare Professionals Survey 2022 - Key Findings and Comparisons | 573.19 KB |
