Prevalence and determinants of burnout among physical and occupational therapists.

It is generally speculated that the ongoing changes in the health care system may increase the incidence of burnout among health care providers. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to determine (1) the prevalence of burnout among physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs), (2) sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal achievement (PA) traits of PTs and OTs. In fall 1998,169 PTs and 138 OTs employed in various clinical settings in New York City completed the survey. Part I of the research questionnaire solicited sociodemographic and work-related information such as age, marital status, number of children (NC), religious affiliation (RA), exercise habits, level of support from supervisor (LSS), and level of support from colleagues (LSC). Part II of the questionnaire contained the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). From the MBI, each subject's EE, DP, and PA scores were obtained. The data were analyzed with oneway analysis of variance and linear, multiple, and stepwise regression models to determine the relative and combined contributions of the independent (sociodemographic and work-related) variables toward predicting EE, DP, and PA. Overall the MBI scores revealed high (28.9 +/- 6.8) EE, high (18.3 +/- 4.7) DP, and low (18.0 +/- 7.0) PA. The contribution of sociodemographic and work-related variables toward the prediction of EE (26.7%), DP (12.8%) and PA (19.8%) was STRESS, A CONSTANT PHENOMENON in today's soci ety, is particularly prevalent in the work setting. The relationship between stress, strain, and burnout currently is poorly understood. Stress is the negative feature of the work environment that impinges on the individual; strain is the psychological and physiologic response of the individual to stress.1 Unabated work-related stress can predispose individuals to burnout. Burnout occurs when a person has reached a state of mental and physical exhaustion combined with a sense of frustration and personal failure.2 Burnout is prevalent among human service professions in which client interaction revolves around a provider-- receiver relationship.3 Burnout among service providers not only affects the individual, but also the workplace and client treatment. Service providers report feeling drained, unable to give of themselves anymore, and cope by decreasing client contact and adopt a negative attitude toward their job and subsequently towards their clients. Burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA). Intense burnout can lead to illness and emotional complaints such as anxiety, nervousness, headaches, or difficulty concentrating.3,4 The economic and health impacts of high incidence of burnout in any organization can be grave and defy quantification in pecuniary terms. Health care requires close contact between the service provider and recipient and is inherently emotionally drain ing and stressful. With the managed care practice environment constantly changing, health care professionals face increased potential role stressors. Stressful situations in a health care environment, in which too many demands are imposed too quickly, lead to emotional strain and consequently to emotional detachment.3,4 In an attempt to decrease the emotional burden, health care providers may become withdrawn, become frustrated, and develop negative tendencies toward their clients and the work environment. LITERATURE REVIEW The study of burnout had its genesis in the mid-1970s when researchers identified burnout phenomenon as a major health problem in human service professions.3-5 Today, many studies exist documenting the prevalence and cause of burnout in human service professions, such as teaching, social work, and correctional services.6,7 In the health professions, the cause of burnout has been intensely studied. …