Building a support network, sharing best practices, and crafting collective solutions can pave the way for reducing burnout rates and improving health care.

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In the high-stakes world of health care, operating room nurses play a pivotal role in safeguarding lives. Yet, these unsung heroes are facing a silent crisis: occupational burnout.

As we delve into the issue, it becomes evident that this problem transcends the boundaries of health care and aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 3: Good Health And Wellbeing

Occupational burnout takes a severe toll on the mental health and wellbeing of operating room nurses. The burnout phenomenon intersects perfectly with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all.

The SDG’s vision of healthy health care workers is indispensable in delivering quality health care services, especially in life-saving surgical environments.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Nursing, a profession predominantly comprised of women, faces a gender-specific issue in the form of burnout.

The high prevalence of burnout among nurses brings gender equality into the spotlight, aligning with SDG 5’s mission to empower all women and girls.

Promoting gender-sensitive strategies to combat burnout is not only an ethical imperative, but also a step toward achieving equality in the workplace.

SDG 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth

The root causes of nurse burnout often stem from their work environment, characterised by high workloads and inadequate support. Here, SDG 8 comes into play, advocating for decent work and economic growth.

Creating safe, supportive work environments for nurses is essential for achieving this goal and ensuring a sustainable health care workforce.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Burnout knows no boundaries — it affects nurses from diverse backgrounds.

Addressing burnout can contribute to reducing inequalities in access to quality health care services, in alignment with SDG 10.

Ensuring that all health care workers have the resources and support to prevent burnout is a step toward a more equitable health care system.

SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals

Solving the burnout crisis demands collaboration between health care organisations, policymakers, and nurses themselves – a perfect embodiment of SDG 17’s call for partnerships.

Building a support network, sharing best practices, and crafting collective solutions can pave the way for reducing burnout rates and improving health care.

In summary, the burnout crisis among operating room nurses is not just a health care concern; it’s a global issue with far-reaching implications.

As we navigate the complex landscape of health care, it is imperative for stakeholders at all levels – from policymakers to nurses themselves – to collaborate, develop strategies, and prioritise the wellbeing of these health care heroes.

By doing so, we not only preserve the health and care in the surgical arena but also contribute to the broader global goals of sustainability, health, and equality.

Kalivani Poongawanam
School of Medical and Life Sciences
Email: @email

This article was first published in Code Blue, 10 July 2024.