Risk factor and symptoms of burnout in physiotherapists in the canton of Bern

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that the risk of burnout is high for people working in health professions. Many physiotherapists have either suffered from burn out personally or have seen colleagues suffer from it. In Switzerland, there is a lack of evidence concerning the risk factors and symptoms for burnout among physiotherapist.The aim of this study was to empirically identify risk factors and symptoms of burnout in physiotherapists working in the canton of Bern.MethodBased on interview guidelines, three semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists who experienced burn out themselves were conducted. The questions were divided into two main categories: risk factors and symptoms. For analysis, the interviews were transcribed and assigned to individual categories.ResultsHigh personal expectations and the pressure that comes with working on patients with chronic complaints were the most common answers from the participants. In this study these factors can be considered as important risk factors. In particular, emotional exhaustion and depression seem to be relevant burnout symptoms which lead to a decrease in personal performance.ConclusionIn this study physiotherapists with burn out working in an acute care hospital tend to suffer from symptoms of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. For physiotherapists, sensitization to symptoms and risk factors of burnout is essential in daily work as well as in education. The results of this study might be of interest for physiotherapist or physiotherapists students to prevent and sensitive them for burnout symptoms.

Risk factors associated with physical therapist burnout: a systematic review

“…Studies consistently suggest that work as a physical therapist is associated with burnout [1][2][3][4]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout not as a medical diagnosis but as an occupational phenomenon and a "syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed" [5].…”

“…Burnout can occur in any profession, but as both a symptom and syndrome, burnout has caused notable concern in the physical therapy field with emotionally draining work and high physical demands being characteristic of the profession [1,3]. With physical therapists spending the majority of time interacting with patients, the inherent risk of burnout is especially worrisome when negatively correlated with patient-perceived quality of care [1,7]. Patient dissatisfaction adversely impacts objective job performance, provider evaluations, and patient retention, and can affect Medicare payments [8].…”

“…Patient dissatisfaction adversely impacts objective job performance, provider evaluations, and patient retention, and can affect Medicare payments [8]. Other manifestations of burnout, including cynical and distant attitudes towards patients, feelings of incompetency, and mental exhaustion, may culminate into more medical errors, adverse effects on patient safety, and greater liability for healthcare organizations [1,3,8]. In response to feelings of burnout, physical therapists may leave clinical practice or the profession altogether, resulting in a shortage of experienced clinicians to treat the growing number of patients and mentor new clinicians [3,4].This attrition puts a strain on the ability to provide essential healthcare and is a financial burden to our healthcare system, with a conservative estimate of $4.6 billion per year identified in relation to physician turnover alone [9].…”

O jogo como sistema de avaliação no idoso institucionalizado – um estudo piloto (El juego como sistema de evaluación en ancianos institucionalizados - estudio piloto) (Game performance to assess elderly people in long term care – a pilot study)

“…A literatura tem sido consensual quanto à importância de recolher indicadores da função dos membros superiores, pela sua capacidade preditiva. Por exemplo, os autores Rogan et al (2019) confirmam que o risco de queda pode ser diagnosticado através de indicadores funcionais dos membros superiores, e não apenas da função ou da força muscular dos membros inferiores (Rogan et al, 2019). De entre todas as alterações na função dos membros superiores durante o envelhecimento, já referidas, a diminuição da coordenação é uma das mais frequentes e relevantes, principalmente pela sua relação com a independência funcional (Woytowicz, Whitall, & Westlake, 2016).…”

Out-patient physiotherapy service delivery post COVID-19: opportunity for a re-set and a new normal?

“…Group exercise opportunities should be consistent, accessible and underpinned by evidence based practice. Delivering quality, person centred physiotherapy interactions within reducing episodes of care also potentially risks physiotherapist burnout which has been shown to be a problem particularly when managing patients with chronic conditions [35].…”