PREDICTORS OF BURNOUT IN PHYSICAL THERAPISTS: A SURVEY STUDY

G. Singh¹, J. Cherry¹, J. Placella², G. Bravo², E. Parker², T. Komor¹, A. Strizak¹

¹Binghamton University, Physical Therapy, Johnson City, United States, ²Russell Sage College, Physical Therapy, Troy, United States

Background: Stress exists in many occupations; chronic stress resulting in burnout has been found to be highest in professions with low levels of personal control, poor support systems, and high job demands and expectations. Research studies reveal that increased and prolonged stress has a direct relationship with burnout and often results in decreased productivity and frequent sick leaves.Because stress is a phenomenon that is unavoidable and particularly prevalent in the work environment, it will influence the care a physical therapist gives a patient.

Purpose: The purpose of the present research study is to delineate predictors of burnout in physical therapists. This study aims to determine the severity and presence of burnout as well as identifying predictor-like factors that may lead to a physical therapist’s feeling of burnout.

Methods: Petition to participate in the survey study were sent to current Physical Therapists via email. These emails included a link of our survey study provided by survey monkey. The surveys were collected via email for a time span of 2 months. In total, 409 surveys were collected. Survey consisted of demographic questions, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and a set of 20 burnout predictor questions.

Results: The response rate was 25.8%. Based on the Maslach burnout Inventory grades, 184 (63.4%) individuals were burnout for the emotional exhaustion category, 107 (36.8%) individuals for the depersonalization category, and 87 (30.0%) individuals for the personal accomplishment category. The three significant predictors of emotional exhaustion were relationship with boss, consequences of not meeting minimum number of patients seen, and receiving any job benefits. Further analysis is underway to conclude what are the predictors of Burnout.

Conclusions: Top predictors for leading to emotional exhaustion include poor relationship with boss, consequences of not meeting number of patients per day, and having fewer job benefits. The personal accomplishment subgroup was significantly correlated with gender and time between patients, while the depersonalization subgroup was significantly correlated with having fewer job benefits. Further research ought to be done in order to further explore these predictors, analyze their effect on productivity and prevent future burnout.

Implications: A better understanding of the reasons of burnout in Physical therapists would lead to creation of better work conditions, which will not only promote better delivery of services but also better patient outcomes in general.

Funding acknowledgements: N/A

Keywords:
Physical Therapy
Burnout
Predictors

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Professional issues
Service delivery/emerging roles

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Russell Sage College

Committee: IRB Committee,

Ethics number: 51-2016-2017