Selected predictors of occupational burnout of healthcare workers. Implications for interventions

Abstract

Background Generally speaking, professional burnout may be understood as the psychological reaction to chronic work stress. According to the model of Christina Maslach, burnout is the sequence of three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Objectives The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between occupational burnout and specialized, demographic healthcare workers. Methods The research was carried out in Poland and involved 1785 healthcare workers. 627 of whom were specialized in operation, 944 non-operation, and 213 worked in primary healthcare. The following research methods were used: • Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) • Sociodemographic Questionnaire. Findings The surveyed from the operating wards showed the largest burnout on all the measures of MBI, and the displayed differences were of high significance (p<0,001). Men showed a higher DEP level (p<0,05), and age and work experience influenced the increase of the PAR scale results (p<0,001). Conclusions The results of surveying physicians and nurses confirm the need of preventing occupational burnout as it lowers healthcare quality and affects the health of workers.