Relationships Between Burnout, Moral Distress, and Intent to Quit in a Psychiatry Department: A Cross-Sectional Survey

(1) Background: The objective of this project was to evaluate the relationship between burnout, moral distress, and intent to quit among psychiatric healthcare workers at a safety-net hospital to provide actionable results for leaders and administrators. (2) Methods: This project used a cross-sectional, anonymous survey of burnout, moral distress, and intent to quit. Respondents were healthcare workers (n = 205) of different disciplines in a psychiatry department at a safety-net hospital in the United States. (3) Results: Results showed that 52.7% (n = 108) of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout, most commonly among technicians and those working in emergency settings. Burnout was associated with both moral distress and intent to quit. The largest driver of moral distress was working with abusive patients and families, followed by compromised care due to lack of resources. (4) Conclusions: Routine monitoring of moral distress may provide leaders with actionable results to address burnout and promote retention of psychiatric healthcare workers.