About half of higher education professors have experienced fatigue and exhaustion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the conclusion of a study carried out by CINTESIS – Center for Health Technology and Services Research, by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, and by the Education School of the Polytechnic of Porto (P.PORTO, InED), coordinated by Ivone Duarte and Carla Serrão.
The study indicates that more than half of the professors were, at times, or even many times, particularly sensitive, intolerant, agitated, with difficulties in relaxing or calming.
In all, 37% of the professors have suffered burnout associated with their professional activity, which refers to a prolonged state of physical fatigue and psychological exhaustion perceived as a result of the exercise of professional activity.
About a quarter of the professor reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and 60% of the respondents reported difficulties in falling asleep or sleeping without interruption.
This study also shows that during the pandemic 96% of higher education professors taught at a distance and that Zoom was the most used platform. However, 77% had no previous experience in distance learning.
“Institutions Must Respond”
The researchers conclude that “the pandemic situation forced an abrupt adaptation, involving multiple demands and social, family and professional challenges”.
“Uncertainty, the need to respond to emerging challenges, low digital literacy, the lack of training and teaching experience using online platforms, and the lack of support from educational technology teams, who had their hands full, are some variables that can explain this data”, they conclude.
In all, 355 professors from the continent and the islands participated in this online survey, which took place between June 19 and July 30. The auscultated professors were mainly female (66.5%). Close to 68% had more than 15 years of teaching experience and 85% taught at public institutions. More than 82% of the answers were related to the North of the country.
In view of these conclusions, the study coordinators warn: “It is urgent that Higher Education institutions provide immediate solutions in response to both instrumental and socio-emotional needs for this particular group”.
This team had already carried out a study that analyzed the impact of the pandemic on health professionals and should now focus on analyzing professors’ perceptions of “Remote Emergency Teaching”, namely regarding its advantages and disadvantages, concerns and solutions.