Impact of a hospital environment and workplace stressors on professional quality of life among Canadian sonographers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic imposed substantial psychological and occupational strain on health care workers, including sonographers, who faced increased workloads, safety concerns, and emotional fatigue. This study examined the relationship between pandemic-related workplace stressors and professional quality of life (ProQOL) among Canadian sonographers, focusing on how insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), perceived workplace safety, supervisor communication, and emotional exhaustion were associated with compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). Methods: This secondary analysis drew on data from a cross-sectional online survey distributed to members of Sonography Canada between January and April 2023. The questionnaire included demographic items, psychosocial stressor assessments, and the ProQOL 5 scale to measure CS, burnout, and STS. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses were performed, with subgroup comparisons between hospital-based and non-hospital–based sonographers. Results: Responses from 618 sonographers (64.6% hospital-based) were analyzed. Across the sample, CS was significantly negatively correlated with multiple stressors, including insufficient PPE ( r = –0.171, P < 0.001), feeling unsafe at work ( r = –0.239, P < 0.001), poor communication with supervisors ( r = –0.249, P < 0.001), and emotional exhaustion ( r = –0.277, P < 0.001). These same stressors were positively correlated with burnout and STS, with emotional exhaustion showing the strongest associations (burnout: r = 0.480, P < 0.001; STS: r = 0.457, P < 0.001). Hospital-based sonographers reported significantly lower CS, higher burnout, and higher STS than non-hospital–based sonographers. Discussion: Workplace stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic were strongly linked to lower ProQOL among Canadian sonographers, particularly for those in hospital settings. Emotional exhaustion emerged as a central predictor of burnout and STS, highlighting the need for systemic interventions that improve workplace safety, foster effective communication, and build emotional resilience. Targeted supports such as peer programs, mental health resources, and compassionate leadership may help sustain workforce well-being and care quality in high-stress environments.