Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

29-Sep-2025

Arch Hellen Med, 42(6), November-December 2025, 788-798

ORIGINAL PAPER

COVID-19 and health care professionals. A study in Greece and Cyprus

C. Michailidou,¹ I.C. Themistocleous,¹ S. Hadjisavvas,¹ A. Kellari²
¹Programme of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
²Department of Physiotherapy, University of Thessaly, Lamia, Greece

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of the first year of the pandemic on healthcare professionals, focusing on job stress, fatigue, burnout, and quality of life, and to compare groups as well as to explore risk factors.

METHOD During the transition of the COVID-19 second to third wave, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted simultaneously in Greece and Cyprus. A total of 467 health care professionals, from the public and private sector, participated in the study. A number of measurement tools were used to collect data, including the Job Stress Measure, Chalder Fatigue Scale, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and EQ-5D-5L. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, group comparisons, correlations, post-hoc, and regression analyses.

RESULTS Findings revealed gender as a predictor, with females being more susceptible to job stress and fatigue, reporting increased anxiety/ depression and lower quality of life. Full-time employment predicted higher fatigue, while longer service at one workplace correlated with diminishing quality of life. Altered work conditions predicted more intense fatigue, while increased income reduced burnout. Knowing colleagues at the workplace who had COVID-19 predicted increased job stress and burnout. Greece and Cyprus exhibited no significant differences in comparative analyses. Nearly 80% of nurses reported burnout, with almost 19% at high levels. Physiotherapists (53%) and doctors (47.5%) were also significantly affected. Among professions, nurses reported the highest mean burnout (61.07, standard deviation [SD]: 17.53). Low income corresponded to increased anxiety and burnout. Overall, nurses, females, and those aged 30–44 were most affected.

CONCLUSIONS The cumulative impact of pandemic waves is likely to further impact healthcare professionals' well-being. These alarming findings should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to avert potential consequences, preventing an exodus of healthcare professionals from the health system.

Key words: Burnout, COVID-19 pandemic, Greece and Cyprus, Healthcare professionals.