Duke University health researchers have measured the pandemic's toll on health worker burnout.
More than one-third of doctors and nearly half of all nurses are experiencing emotional exhaustion.
The Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality conducted three surveys. One before the pandemic and two during, giving them a strong baseline to measure against.
By the second year fighting COVID-19, burnout rates were up significantly.
Center director Bryan Sexton said this almost certainly led to worse health outcomes in patients.
"As you become more exhausted, your ability to do stuff is compromised,” he explained, “And that includes things like clinical outcomes and operational outcomes."
Sexton said it's important for workers in health care - and really all industries - to prioritize mental health. This will lead to better work outcomes as well.