Investigator(s)
| Submitter |
Kuenzang --- Kuenzang Nursing Unit Department of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Nursing and Public Health Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan Kuenzang --- Kuenzang 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Kuenzang --- Kuenzang Nursing Unit Department of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Nursing and Public Health Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan Kuenzang --- Kuenzang
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Tashi --- Norbu MECRIT, OOP, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan Tashi --- Norbu
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| Co-Investigator(s) |
Dawa ---- Gyeltshen JDWNRH, Thimphu Dawa ---- Gyeltshen
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Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Workforce equity and burnout level among nurses working in hospitals across Bhutan: A Cross-Sectional study. |
| Public title | Nurse workforce allocation and burnout level in Bhutan |
| Background | The nursing profession plays a pivotal role in advancing health and sustaining the healthcare system. Nurses comprise the largest workforce and form the backbone of the health fraternity, with a global number of nurses of 29.8 million in 2023 [1]. However, predictions demonstrate a shortage of over 4 million nurses by 2030, contributing to an overall shortfall of over 4.5 million nurses and midwives globally. [2]. These gaps are mostly noticeable in regions such as Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean, parts of Latin America, and South‑East Asia. [2]. Globally, most mobile healthcare providers are nurses owing to better financial circumstances, better working environments, and opportunities for educational and professional growth. [1]. The transfer of the nursing workforce from low- and middle-income countries to high-income countries has caused workforce inequity. [3]. This condition is similar in Bhutan, which remains a massive health workforce equity concern, heightening nurses’ deficiency with an attrition rate record of 25% in 2024 [3]. Additionally, Bhutan’s nurse-to-population ratio is 20.22 per 10,000 [4], which is far below the WHO South-East Asia Region’s recommended ratio of 37 nurses per 10,000 population [5]. This shortage may adversely affect the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of health services. [6]. Bhutan is currently confronting a nursing shortage due to high resignation rates, extraordinary leave, and the demands of impending health structure expansion. [7]. In Taiwan, China, evidence demonstrated that high emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment were highly likely to lead to leaving the career among nurses. [8]. This leads to disproportionate nurse workforce equity and widens the gaps in healthcare services. [6]. Thus, the nurse workforce requires consideration, funding, and creativity. [9]. When allocating nurses, both urgency and workforce equity must be given due importance. The urgency of nursing services reflects the immediate requirement to meet patient demands, while workforce equity |
| Objectives | • Describe the nurse-to-patient ratio across the hospitals of Bhutan. • Measure the association between workforce allocation and reported burnout levels. • Quantify inequities in staffing patterns using the Gini coefficient and Lorenzo curve. |
| Study Methods | a cross-sectional study. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | • This could bring a clear picture of workforce equity among nurses in district hospitals. • Current burnout prevalence data. • Evidence based recommendations for policymakers to strengthen workforce management and reduce burnout. |
| Keywords | Burnout; Workforce; Equity; Nurses; Bhutan |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Aug-2026 |
| End Date | 31-Dec-2026 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Self funding |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Non-communicable diseases & Healthy Lifestyles |
| Research field(s) | Other (Nurses) |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Operational Research | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | No |