P-584 UNDERSTANDING BURNOUT AMONG CANADIAN MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WORKING DURING THE SECOND WAVE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN ONTARIO, CANADA: USING A GENDERED-BASED ANALYSIS

Abstract Introduction Medical laboratory professionals are mostly women and play a crucial role in delivering health services and provide and perform millions of tests daily on blood, body fluids, cells and tissues. The study examined the mental health and well-being of medical laboratory professionals working during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted to explore mental health outcomes in medical laboratory professionals, including medical laboratory technologists, medical laboratory assistants, and medical laboratory technicians, working in Ontario, Canada. A self-reported questionnaire on burnout and job stress was administered, and Two focus groups were also conducted. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes. Results A total of 441 (47.5% response rate) medical laboratory professionals completed the survey. Most of the respondents self-identified as female (90.2%). Most of the medical laboratory professionals were women, with a mean age of 43.1 and a standard deviation of 11.7. The prevalence of burnout was 72.3% for medical laboratory technologists. In the adjusted demographic model, those ≥50 (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.22–0.59) were approximately one-third as likely to experience burnout as those under 50. The qualitative focus groups demonstrated four key themes: staff shortage, feeling forgotten, work environment, and resilience. Discussion There is limited research regarding the workplace mental health of medical laboratory professionals. This study provides preliminary evidence regarding their mental health and well-being in the workplace. Conclusion Future research is warranted to understand the relationship between the workplace mental health of these workers and its impact on their mental health.