Spiritual well-being, sleep quality as a buffer against burnout and in increasing professional fulfillment among healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Burnout is a growing concern among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Emerging evidence suggests that sleep quality and spiritual well-being may buffer against burnout and enhance professional fulfilment. This study explores the relationship between sleep disturbance, spiritual well-being, and burnout among HCPs in the UAE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 661 healthcare professionals across the UAE. Validated instruments were used to measure sleep quality, circadian regularity, spiritual well-being, burnout, and professional fulfilment. Data was analyzed using correlation and regression models to identify predictive factors.

RESULTS:

Poor sleep quality and irregular circadian patterns were significantly associated with higher levels of burnout. Conversely, higher spiritual well-being showed a strong negative correlation with burnout and a positive association with professional fulfilment. Multivariate analysis identified sleep regularity and spiritual well-being as significant independent predictors of both burnout and professional fulfilment.

CONCLUSION:

Sleep quality and spiritual well-being play a protective role against burnout and contribute to greater professional fulfilment among healthcare professionals in the UAE. These findings highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues and nurturing spiritual well-being to mitigate burnout and enhance job satisfaction among healthcare professionals, thereby facilitating targeted interventions for improved occupational health and well-being.

Introduction

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) face challenges in settings dealing with time limitations, juggling various demands, lack of autonomy in work procedures and schedules, and navigating complex roles and relationships with leadership can lead to high levels of burnout. This burnout is linked to decreased patient safety and higher rates of medical errors. Such challenges may lead to burnout and can negatively affect their well-being and overall job satisfaction.[1,2] Burnout is a prevalent issue that ranges from 14% to over 70% in HCPs, depending on the healthcare setting and region of practice.[3,4,5,6,7,8] Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment[7] and is linked to factors such as work environment, emotional discomfort, and a lack of social support.[8,9,10]

The emotional exhaustion component is particularly important because, given the demanding nature of their work, healthcare professionals frequently experience emotional exhaustion, which leaves them feeling worn out and helpless.[11] Reduced personal accomplishment denotes a drop in one’s sense of competence and achievement, whereas depersonalization entails a sense of cynicism and detachment from patients, coworkers, and the job itself. In addition to its impact on those who experience it, burnout has been connected to an increase in medical errors, compromised patient safety, and a drop in patient satisfaction. These findings raise questions about the quality of patient treatment.[12]

Sleep disruptions are a major factor in the escalation of burnout experienced by healthcare professionals. Sleep is crucial for physical and mental health.[13] The healthcare industry frequently demands variable shifts, particularly night shifts, which may interfere with circadian rhythms and make it difficult to maintain regular sleeping patterns.[14] Sleep disorders and burnout have been strongly correlated in healthcare studies.[13,15] Furthermore, sleep disruptions can cause cognitive decline, reduce coping skills, and increase stress.[16]

Burnout is often linked to a decrease in job satisfaction among healthcare workers.[17] Past studies stress the importance of developing solutions and promoting spirituality as a possible approach to tackling burnout. The conventional biomedical model used in medicine may not fully address the holistic aspect of burnout.[18] The fact that burnout is categorized as a concern rather than a mental health condition highlights the importance of exploring different viewpoints and approaches to address burnout effectively.

In the healthcare context, spirituality can be described as a dynamic and intrinsic characteristic of individuals.[19] Healthcare providers strive to establish connections that support personal development and fulfillment by drawing on their own beliefs and experiences as instruments for spiritual connection. The emotional and spiritual health of a person is vital for healthcare workers to build their resilience and cope with challenges effectively.[19] Their resilience enables them to discover significance and direction in their work, amidst obstacles and setbacks.[20] Furthermore, having a spiritual well-being can serve as a way for healthcare professionals to deal with the emotional effects of their job and find peace within themselves.[21] It is essential to note that even though the connection between spirituality and sleep issues may not be obvious, at first glance, it is important to recognize that both play significant roles in overall health and wellness.

Burnout, sleep issues, and spiritual well-being are directly related to professional fulfilment in the healthcare industry. HCPs often face sleep problems because of their schedules and high-stress work environments, which can contribute to feelings of burnout. Taking care of their spiritual well-being may help healthcare professionals feel more accomplished and satisfied in their work, thereby improving patient care and reducing burnout.[22,23]

This study explores the relationship between sleep disturbances, spiritual well-being, burnout, and professional fulfillment among healthcare professionals in the UAE using the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory by Hobfoll (1989).[24] COR theory hypothesizes that individuals strive to acquire, retain, and protect valuable resources, like sleep, spiritual well-being, and professional fulfilment.[25] HCPs often face resource challenges, with sleep disruptions posing a potential resource loss, leading to increased stress and burnout. Spiritual well-being can serve as a protective buffer, providing resilience and coping mechanisms. In the demanding healthcare environment, spiritual well-being is essential for maintaining overall well-being, preventing burnout, and enhancing job satisfaction.

There are notable research gaps in understanding the specific relationships between sleep disturbances, spiritual well-being, burnout, and professional fulfilment among healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the unique cultural and occupational context of healthcare professionals in the UAE. While previous research has examined these factors individually or in other regions, this study addresses a notable gap by investigating their interplay within the UAE’s healthcare system.

Considering this context and theoretical framework, our research hypothesis is as follows: Sleep disturbances are positively associated with burnout, whereas spiritual well-being is negatively associated with burnout among healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates. We investigated the prevalence of burnout, sleep disturbances, and professional fulfilment, and how spiritual well-being can influence burnout levels and contribute to increased professional fulfilment. Utilizing a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model, a machine-learning approach, we predicted burnout based on variables such as sleep quality, spiritual well-being, and demographic factors. This study uniquely examines the interplay between sleep quality, spiritual well-being, and burnout among UAE healthcare professionals. The use of a machine-learning MLP model adds novelty by enabling predictive insights into burnout risk. The results of this study will provide valuable insights for developing targeted interventions to enhance well-being and professional satisfaction among healthcare professionals in the UAE.

Methods and Methods

Study design and setting

This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates between January 2022 to March 2022. Healthcare professionals were invited through their work portal emails to participate by completing an online questionnaire. The responses were collected anonymously, and all data were de-identified prior to the analysis.

Study participants and sampling

The study included participants who met the following criteria: Healthcare professionals actively employed in the United Arab Emirates, aged 18 years or older, and willing to participate. On the other hand, individuals who were not healthcare professionals, healthcare professionals not currently practicing in the UAE, individuals below 18 years of age, and those unable to provide informed consent were excluded from the study. All these criteria were carefully measured online, and after removing the ineligible people, 661 participants were left.

The sample size was calculated based on the population size of 100,000 healthcare professionals in the UAE,[26] a 95% confidence level (Z = 1.96), a margin of error of 5%, and a design effect of 1. Considering an expected response rate of 50%, the required sample size was initially calculated as approximately 382 participants.[27]

Data collection tools and techniques

Professional fulfilment index

This study employed the Professional Fulfillment Index, a validated scale designed to evaluate burnout and professional fulfillment, comprising 16 items. The participants rated each item on a 5-point Likert scale, from “Not at all” (0) to “Extremely” (4). The scale is divided into three subscales: professional fulfillment, work exhaustion, and interpersonal disengagement, with the latter two forming burnout subscales. Higher scores on the burnout subscale indicate elevated levels of burnout, whereas higher scores on the professional fulfillment subscale signify increased professional satisfaction.[28] The minimum score in this questionnaire is 0, and the maximum score is 64. The reliability coefficients for the Professional Fulfilment Index questionnaire are 0.82 for professional fulfilment (α = 0.91), 0.80 for work exhaustion (α = 0.86), 0.71 for interpersonal disengagement (α = 0.92), and 0.80 for overall burnout (α = 0.92).

The sleep regularity questionnaire

The sleep regularity questionnaire, assessing sleep regularity, consists of 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, from “Not at all” (0) to “Very much” (4). Four items are excluded from scoring. Based on exploratory factor analysis, six items were selected to create two subscales: the Circadian Regularity Factor and the Sleep Continuity Factor. The minimum score in this questionnaire is 0, and the maximum score is 24. A higher score indicates better circadian regularity and sleep continuity. This questionnaire has been validated for its reliability and validity.[29] The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the study was 0.84.

R- U SATED (Sleep Health)

The study utilized the R-U SATED tool for measuring sleep health, which includes five self-report items rated on a three-point scale: rarely/never (0), sometimes (1), and usually/always (2). The minimum score in this questionnaire is 0, and the maximum score is 10. A higher score reflects better sleep health.[30]

4-item spiritual well-being index

This self-report questionnaire assesses the significance of various relationships in one’s life, including those with God (or higher powers), other people, the environment, and oneself. Responses are rated on a five-point Likert scale from “Very important” (5) to “Not important” (1), with the total score ranging from 4 to 20. Higher scores indicate greater spiritual well-being.[31]

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee (Reference: ERS_2021_8407/1.11.2021) of the United Arab Emirates University. This study followed the ethical guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.[32]

Statistical analysis method

Several steps were taken to analyze the data in this study. First, the data was cleaned, and then each variable was coded. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for the demographic indicators, and the subgroups of each were also reported. The mean, standard deviation, variance, and minimum and maximum values were calculated for each independent and dependent variable. The point-biserial correlation coefficient was first used to test the relationship between the variables. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.).[33]

We used a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model, an artificial neural network characterized by multiple layers of neurons, to predict burnout. This feed-forward neural network allows information to flow from the input layer through one or more hidden layers to the output layer. Each neuron in the input layer corresponds to an independent variable—gender, age, sleep quality, sleep health, and spiritual well-being. The configuration of the MLP, including the number of neurons in each hidden layer and the total number of hidden layers, was determined through experimental tuning, starting with a moderate number of neurons and layers and adjusting based on performance. This approach enabled us to effectively capture and analyze the complex relationships between various factors and the risk of burnout.

Results

The study included 661 healthcare professionals. Almost 70% of healthcare workers were physicians. Among them, 454 (68.7%) were women and 207 (31.3%) were men [Table 1]. The age range of the participants was 20–65 years. In terms of marital status, most participants were married or single; divorced and widowed participants had the lowest frequency. Almost 90% of the participants lived in cities. In terms of income status, most participants belonged to the Basic Middle class (43.9%).

Table 1.

Demographic characteristics of the participants

Characteristic		Frequency		Percentage
Age
20–35		488		73.8
36–50		135		20.4
51–65		38		5.8
Marital status
Married		305		46.1
Single		305		46.1
Divorced		49		7.4
Widowed		2		0.3
Area of residence
City		594		89.9
Town		44		6.7
Village		23		3.5
Income
Basic Middle (Middle 20%)		290		43.9
Upper Middle (Upper 20%)		175		26.5
Marginal Middle (Lower 20%)		133		20.1
Upper Class (Top 20%)		32		4.8
Lower (Lowest 20%)		31		4.7
Healthcare professional
Physicians		467		70.7
Nurses		183		27.7
Allied Healthcare Professionals		11		1.6

In Table 2, Descriptive statistics of research variables are included. There were 661 valid data points for each variable, and no missing data. Sleep circadian regularity had a mean of 7.41 with a standard deviation of 3.90, indicating variability among participants. The mean value for spiritual well-being is relatively high at 15.09, with a standard deviation of 3.56. Burnout, a key variable, shows a mean of 1.67 and a standard deviation of 0.90.

Table 2.

Descriptive statistics for sleep regulatory, sleep health, spiritual well-being, burnout, and professional fulfilment (n=661)

Descriptive		Sleep circadian regularity		Sleep continuity		Sleep Health		Spiritual well-being		Burnout		Work exhaustion		Interpersonal disengagement		Professional fulfilment
Mean		7.41		3.68		5.31		15.09		1.67		2.08		1.39		2.43
Std. Deviation		3.90		2.24		2.19		3.56		0.90		0.98		1.08		0.85
Variance		15.25		5.01		4.79		12.67		0.81		0.97		1.17		0.73
Minimum		0		0		0		5		0		0		0		0
Maximum		16		8		10		20		4		4		4		4

To investigate the relationship between sleep components, spiritual well-being with burnout, and professional fulfilment professional, Pearson’s point-biserial correlation coefficient was used, the results of which are listed in Table 3.

Table 3.

Pearson’s point-biserial for sleep components, spiritual well-being with burnout, and professional fulfilment (n=661)

		Sleep circadian regularity		Sleep continuity		Sleep health		Spiritual well-being		Professional fulfilment
Sleep Circadian Regularity		–
Sleep Continuity		0.583**		–
Sleep Health		0.444**		0.249**		–
Spiritual Well-Being		0.128**		0.004		0.061		–
Professional Fulfilment		0.245**		0.009		0.228**		0.387**		–
Burnout		−0.087*		0.129**		−0.085*		−0.270**		−0.421**

Note. **P<0.01; *P<0.05. One-to-one correlation of continuous variables is reported in the table

Sleep circadian regularity shows a significant negative correlation with burnout (−0.087), suggesting that higher regularity is associated with lower burnout levels. By contrast, sleep continuity was positively correlated with burnout (r = 0.129), indicating that greater sleep continuity may be linked to higher burnout. Sleep health negatively correlates with burnout (−0.085), implying better sleep health could reduce burnout. Spiritual well-being exhibits a strong negative correlation with burnout (−0.270), underscoring its protective role against burnout. Regarding professional fulfilment, sleep circadian regularity (0.245), sleep health (0.228), and spiritual well-being (0.387) were positively correlated, indicating their respective contributions to higher levels of professional fulfilment [Table 3].

Figure 1 shows a box plot of the distribution of predicted probabilities for two burnout categories: “No burnout” and “Yes burnout.” The initial box plot on the left corresponds to the “no burnout” category. Within this category, the predictive probability of experiencing “Yes burnout” was approximately 0.6. Conversely, in the “Yes burnout” category, the predictive probability of not experiencing burnout (“No burnout”) was close to 0.8. This discrepancy in predictive probabilities suggests that the model assigned a higher likelihood to the occurrence of burnout (“Yes burnout”) compared to the absence of burnout (“No burnout”). The MLP model was also validated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, which shows the classification performance for all possible cutoffs using a diagram of sensitivity and specificity. The identical AUC values of 0.825 in Table 4 for both the “No burnout” and “Yes burnout” categories suggest that the MLP model is consistent in its ability to discriminate between the two classes. This is a positive outcome, signifying that the selected MLP model is reliable for predicting both burnout and non-burnout scenarios.

Figure 1.

Box plot of predicted probabilities associated with levels of burnout (1 = No Burnout, 2 = Yes Burnout). The predicted pseudo-probability of the MLP model is presented through a box-plot diagram for the Burnout Categories (1 = No, 2 = Yes). The blue box plot shows the “No” and the red box plot shows the “Yes” predicted probabilities

Table 4.

Area under the curve (AUC) for the burnout prediction

Area under the curve
Dimension		Categories		Area
Burnout		No Burnout		0.825
		Yes Burnout		0.825

The measures of sensitivity and specificity for the ANN model were presented as an area under the curve (AUC), AUC values have been computed by the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model for predicting burnout. The AUC score has been computed for both “No Burnout” and “Yes Burnout” categories

To assess the performance of the MLP model, an ROC curve was plotted by measuring the true positive rate (sensitivity) against the false positive rate (1-specificity) at various threshold settings, as shown in Figure 2. The 45-degree line from the upper right angle of the chart to the lower left represents random guessing, and the further away the curve is from this reference line, the better the classification accuracy. The results indicated that the AUC for the no-burnout effect was 0.85.

Figure 2.

AUC curve for the burnout (1 = No, 2 = Yes). The selected MLP model for predicting burnout was trained on 70% of the data and tested on 30%, and the false-positive rate was plotted against the true-positive rate. Parameters like initial lambda (0.0000005), sigma (0.00005), and an internal offset of ± 0.5 were used

In the context of this study, it is essential to evaluate the contribution of independent variables in predicting burnout. Table 5 presents the normalized importance of each predictor computed using the MLP model. The normalized importance table provides insight into the relative contributions of the independent variables to the explanation of burnout as the dependent variable. A comprehensive analysis of various independent variables was conducted to examine the factors influencing burnout. Table 5 shows the pattern of normalized importance, in which spiritual well-being showed the highest normalized importance, followed by sleep continuity, marital status, and overall sleep health. This stresses the pivotal role of spiritual well-being in predicting burnout, suggesting that individuals with stronger spiritual well-being may experience lower levels of burnout. The results in Table 5 reveal that spiritual well-being emerges as the most influential factor, with a normalized importance of 100%. Marital status follows closely, with a normalized importance of 71.8%, indicating its significant contribution to burnout prediction. Sleep-related variables, including sleep continuity (77.0% normalized importance) and overall sleep health (58.6% normalized importance), also play a substantial role, highlighting the impact of sleep quality on burnout.

Table 5.

Normalized variable importance by the MLP model for predicting burnout

Independent variable importance
Variables		Importance		Normalized importance
Age		0.137		52.1%
Marital Status		0.188		71.8%
Spiritual Well-being		0.262		100.0%
Sleep Continuity		0.202		77.0%
Sleep Health Overall		0.154		58.6%
Gender		0.058		22.2%

Normalized importance was calculated for each predictor using an MLP model by using tangent hyperbolic activation function. The output layer had 3 units, utilizing the SoftMax activation function. Cross-entropy was used as the error function, with a value of 187.11 for training and 143.228 for testing. The training time for the ANN model was estimated at 00:00:00056

Age, while relevant, demonstrates a comparatively lower importance (52.1%), emphasizing that other factors may have a more significant influence. Gender has the lowest normalized importance, 22.2%, suggesting that among the variables considered, gender has a relatively minor impact on burnout prediction.

Discussion

The results of our study demonstrate a significant link between improved sleep health and circadian regularity with reduced burnout levels, highlighting the pivotal role of sleep management in mitigating occupational stress. Additionally, the strong negative correlation between spiritual well-being and burnout, coupled with its positive influence on professional fulfilment, highlights spiritual well-being as a crucial buffer against burnout.

The comprehensive analysis in our study sheds light on the pivotal role of sleep continuity in determining burnout among healthcare professionals, echoing the findings of previous studies.[13,34] The link between inadequate or disrupted sleep and elevated rates of burnout not only corroborates earlier research but also emphasizes a critical area of concern in healthcare settings.[35] This connection is particularly alarming, considering its implications for job performance, patient safety, and overall care quality.[36] Also, recent studies indicate that sleep factors include sleep duration, sleep deprivation, poor sleep, and insomnia symptoms as a protector against burnout.[37,38,39] The findings necessitate urgent action from healthcare institutions to develop and implement strategies that focus on improving sleep quality for their staff.

Our study expands the discourse by revealing a positive correlation between sleep circadian regularity and professional fulfilment. This insight, consistent with the observations of similar studies, suggests that more regular sleep patterns and better overall sleep health can significantly contribute to higher levels of professional fulfilment.[40,41] This aspect is particularly relevant for healthcare professionals who often face irregular and demanding work schedules. It promulgates the necessity of maintaining a consistent and healthy sleep routine as a foundational aspect of the well-being of healthcare professionals.

Our study’s exploration of the protective role of spiritual well-being in mitigating burnout among healthcare professionals aligns with existing research, underscoring the significance of a strong spiritual foundation for reducing burnout risk.[42,43] These findings highlight the need for healthcare environments to incorporate spiritual and emotional support, reinforcing the connection between spiritual well-being and job satisfaction and fulfilment.[44,45] The existing literature also suggests that individuals with higher spirituality or religiosity exhibit greater resilience and are thus less susceptible to burnout.[46,47,48,49] Furthermore, the negative relationship between spirituality and aspects of burnout, such as emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and its positive association with professional efficacy,[50] reinforce the protective nature of spirituality. Practices such as prayer, meditation, and mindfulness, which are known to trigger reward mechanisms and physiological relaxation responses, play a significant role in reducing stress and promoting health, further substantiating the role of spiritual well-being in healthcare professionals’ lives.[51,52,53] Our study’s utilization of the MLP model aligns with the findings of similar studies, signifying the importance of spiritual well-being as a prominent predictor of burnout.[54,55] When discussing the protective role of spiritual well-being in mitigating burnout among healthcare professionals, it is crucial to acknowledge the contrasting evidence in current literature. While many studies have highlighted the negative association between spiritual well-being and burnout, suggesting that higher levels of spirituality are correlated with lower burnout levels, some findings complicate this narrative. Such research indicates no significant association between spiritual well-being and burnout, or, in certain contexts, suggests that spirituality might even increase burnout.[56] This could be due to the increased workload associated with providing spiritual care or the imposition of spirituality as a mandatory practice rather than a personal choice.

The influence of spirituality on burnout also seems to be context-and culturally specific, indicating that only HCPs who practice spirituality have a lower incidence of Burnout.[57] Additionally, the protective effect of spirituality may be driven by underlying factors that lead individuals toward spiritual activities. Emotional regulation and mental well-being may mediate the relationship between spiritual health and burnout, suggesting that interventions focusing on these aspects may be beneficial. Furthermore, evidence on the effectiveness of spiritually-based health promotion interventions in healthcare settings is weak, highlighting the need for more robust and well-designed studies in this area.[58]

Despite the mixed findings in the literature, several key findings support the role of spirituality in mitigating burnout. Spirituality often provides a sense of purpose and meaning, especially in high-stress professions, such as healthcare, which can be a significant buffer against burnout.[59] Furthermore, spiritual practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being, thereby contributing to lower burnout levels.[60] The emotional support and resilience offered by spiritual beliefs can serve as effective coping mechanisms in challenging times.[61] Finally, the sense of community and support found in many spiritual groups can play a crucial role in reducing feelings of isolation and burnout among healthcare professionals.[62]

To mitigate burnout among healthcare professionals, a holistic intervention based on spirituality should be proposed. This includes mindfulness and meditation training to reduce stress, spiritual workshops and retreats for personal growth and community building, and integrating spiritual practices into daily routines. Support groups and education on spirituality and health should be provided. The theoretical model for this intervention begins with the individual characteristics of healthcare professionals, including their spiritual beliefs and practices. This process involves active engagement in spiritual practices, mindfulness training, and participation in support mechanisms. The expected output is enhanced resilience, reduced stress, and lower burnout levels, leading to improved overall well-being, job satisfaction, and professional fulfilment. This model highlights the synergy between individual spirituality and organizational support, creating an environment conducive to holistic well-being.

The results indicate that spiritual well-being is the most influential factor in burnout prediction and are consistent with existing literature, which often highlights the protective role of spirituality in occupational stress. The significant impact of marital status aligns with studies suggesting that social support is a buffer against workplace stress. However, the substantial role of sleep-related factors, particularly sleep continuity, in predicting burnout is notable. This emphasizes the need for further research on the complex interplay between physical well-being and mental health in high-stress professions such as healthcare. These results suggest that a multidimensional approach encompassing psychological, social, and physiological aspects is essential for addressing burnout among healthcare professionals.

The findings of the present study have several important clinical implications. For healthcare institutions, it is essential to prioritize interventions to improve sleep quality and promote spiritual well-being among staff. Institutions should consider integrating mindfulness and meditation programs with sleep hygiene education and creating interdisciplinary teams focusing on well-being.[63] Such measures could significantly enhance the mental and emotional resilience of healthcare workers, thereby improving patient care quality.

While our research echoes the broader themes identified in previous research, it stands out in its detailed exploration of the interplay between sleep, spiritual well-being, and professional fulfilment. Our study not only adds to the growing body of literature on burnout among healthcare professionals but also provides actionable insights for healthcare institutions. By highlighting the importance of sleep quality and spiritual well-being, it offers a roadmap for developing more holistic and effective approaches to support the health and satisfaction of healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to better patient care.

Limitations and recommendations

Our study has limitations, including its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, which should be addressed in future research to further validate and expand upon these findings. Longitudinal studies are required to better understand the causality between sleep patterns, spiritual well-being, and burnout. While this design allows for an efficient snapshot of the relationships between spirituality, sleep, and burnout, it does not account for the long-term dynamics of these abstract concepts, which may evolve over time. Future research should consider longitudinal studies to better understand the temporal relationships and long-term effects of spirituality and sleep on burnout and professional fulfillment among HCPs. Although spirituality appears to play a role in mitigating burnout, its impact may vary depending on individual, cultural, and contextual factors.

Future research should use longitudinal and mixed-method designs to better understand the complex relationship between spirituality, sleep, and burnout among healthcare professionals. Studies should assess the effectiveness of specific interventions focused on improving spiritual well-being and sleep quality. Collaboration between healthcare institutions and research bodies is recommended to develop practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce burnout and support staff well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between sleep disturbance, spiritual well-being, burnout, and professional fulfilment among healthcare professionals. The findings highlight the significance of sleep quality and spiritual well-being as crucial factors in mitigating burnout and enhancing professional fulfilment in this demanding field. Healthcare institutions can leverage this knowledge to implement innovative strategies such as mindfulness programs, sleep hygiene education, interdisciplinary well-being teams, and technology-assisted interventions to support their staff effectively. These approaches not only contribute to the well-being of healthcare professionals but also have the potential to improve the overall quality of patient care. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of ongoing research collaborations to deepen our understanding of these relationships and develop evidence-based interventions. By prioritizing the spiritual and sleep well-being of healthcare professionals, the healthcare industry can take proactive steps toward reducing burnout and fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Funding Statement

Nil.