Staff shortages linked to burnout, depression, and anxiety among outpatient nurses: a cross-sectional analysis at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar.

backgroundNurses form the backbone of the global healthcare system, yet the profession faces a persistent and growing shortage. The World Health Organization projects a global shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030, with nurses representing a substantial proportion of this deficit. This shortage is particularly acute in rapidly developing health systems, where increased demand for services is not matched by workforce growth. The resulting staffing shortages have increased workloads and extended shifts, directly contributing to heightened stress and poorer mental health outcomes among nurses. Mounting evidence links excessive work burden and high job demands to elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and burnout, conditions that not only affect nurses’ well-being but also compromise the quality and safety of patient care. Given the critical role outpatient nurses play in frontline care delivery, there is an urgent need to understand the interplay between work-related stressors and mental health within this population.

objectiveThis study aims to explore the relationship between demographic factors, working conditions, and mental health outcome specifically burnout, depression, and anxiety—among outpatient nurses in a general hospital setting, addressing the gap in targeted research in this area.

methodsA quantitative cross-sectional design study was conducted among outpatient nurses. Structured questionnaires were distributed online via the corporate email. Socio-demographic variables, workspace burden, and mental health factors (anxiety, stress, depression, and burnout), assessed using two established scales, were evaluated. STATA 17 was used to determined Statistical significance using T-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and quantile regression, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.

resultsThe study achieved a 96.6% response rate, with 286 out of 296 outpatient nurses participating. The majority were foreign females aged 31–40, with 65.6% holding a bachelor’s in nursing and 81.3% having over five years of experience. Approximately 44.9% and 44.5% of nurses reported experiencing some degree of mental or physical exhaustion, respectively. Despite these challenges, 62.9% were satisfied with their jobs. Burnout and anxiety were associated with younger age, education, and living status, with 31% experiencing burnout, 11.4% experiencing anxiety, and 39.9% experiencing depression. Regression analysis identified these factors as key predictors of mental health outcomes. Nurses with a diploma had significantly lower burnout levels compared to those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (β = -2.5, p = 0.027). Nurses living alone experienced significantly less burnout than those living with children (β= -7.5, p = 0.005) or with other family members (β = -4, p = 0.022). Anxiety was significantly higher among nurses aged 31–40 years compared to other age groups (β = 3, p = 0.043).

conclusionThe study revealed moderate levels of burnout and depression, with a smaller but meaningful proportion of nurses reporting abnormal anxiety. Younger nurses (31–40 years), those with a bachelor’s degree, and those living alone appeared more vulnerable. These associations suggest potential targets for support, although causality cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design. While the conclusion appropriately identifies the need for targeted interventions to address burnout and anxiety, it falls short in providing specific, actionable recommendations. To enhance the study’s practical utility, it would be beneficial to include detailed strategies or proposals for interventions that healthcare organizations could implement to support the mental health of outpatient nurses. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.