Impact of Shift Length on Burnout and Job or Life Satisfaction among Allied Healthcare Professionals

Authors

Tareq F. Alotaibi, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Abdulmohsen Altayyar, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Muteb Al Muflih, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Nawaf Alqahtani, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Naif Alhawiti, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Badi A. AlOtaibi, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Sami Al Ossaimi, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health AffairsFollow
Hassan Y. Aljohani, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Mobarak Alqahtani, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Taha Ismaeil, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Mohammed Al Qahtani, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow
Saleh Al Garni, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesFollow

Abstract

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Healthcare professionals are critical to community well-being, but the 12-versus 8-hour shifts on their stress and burnout are unclear. This study examines the effects of work patterns on the quality of life, job satisfaction, and burnout among allied healthcare professionals. Method: a validated questionnaire was used. A descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were used, and the significance level was p < 0.05. Results: Among the 340 participants, the mean age was 28 years, and most were women (63.5%), single (58%), and worked 8-hour shifts (54.4%). Most (78%) of the participants reported their job satisfaction as moderate, with 20% reporting great satisfaction and 90% reporting at least moderate levels of burnout. In addition, a majority of the participants (73%) reported moderate levels of secondary traumatic stress. Individuals who worked 12-hour shifts reported lower job satisfaction than those who worked 8-hour shifts (p = 0.01), while those who worked 8-hour shifts reported lower burnout (p = 0.011) and stress or trauma levels (p =0.012). The participants desiring to change their workplace reported lower job satisfaction and higher burnout or stress (p = 0.002). Finally, the desire to change specialty influenced job satisfaction and burnout, but it did not significantly impact stress (p = 0.146). Conclusion: Employees working 8-hour shifts have higher life satisfaction and lower burnout/stress levels than those working 12-hour shifts. Burnout influences the need for change in one’s career or workplace. Shorter shifts may improve individuals’ well-being and work-life balance.

Author Bio(s)

Tareq Alotaibi,^1,2 Abdulmohsen Altayyar,^1,2 Muteb Al Mufleh,^1,2, Nawaf Alqahtani,^1,2 Naif Alhawiti,^1,2 Badi Alotaibi,^1,2 Sami Alossaimi,³ Hassan Y.Aljohani,^1,2 Mobarak K. Alqahtani,^1,2, Taha T. Ismaeil,^1,2 Mohammed M. Alqahtani,^1,2 Saleh S. Algarni.^1,2

¹Respiratory Therapy Department,College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdul Aziz University for Health Sciences-Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

²King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

³King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

*Correspondence: alotaibita@ksau-hs.edu.sa

Recommended Citation

Alotaibi TF, Altayyar A, Al Muflih M, Alqahtani N, Alhawiti N, AlOtaibi BA, Al Ossaimi S, Aljohani HY, Alqahtani M, Ismaeil T, Al Qahtani M, Al Garni S. Impact of Shift Length on Burnout and Job or Life Satisfaction among Allied Healthcare Professionals. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 5.