An Exploration of Occupational Burnout in Healthcare Professionals

Occupational burnout is a psychological response to chronic stress within the workplace, characterised by feeling emotionally drained, disengaged and less effective. Models indicate that burnout occurs when job demands are high, and resources are low, having adverse effects on both physical and mental health. Alongside detrimental immediate and long-term consequences for individuals, risk is posed to patients and organisations. It is a well-recognised problem within the caring professions, with mental health professionals (MHPs) being particularly susceptible.
Given the harmful consequences, the development of a robust tool to assess occupational burnout is crucial to detect high risk cases and monitor intervention outcomes. Whilst various measures are available, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) addresses drawbacks of alternative scales. However, there is a dearth of literature regarding its application to the healthcare workforce. Accordingly, the research study examined the psychometric properties and factor structure of the OLBI within healthcare professionals, using multiple samples of secondary data. Factor structure, reliability and validity were assessed with a one-factor model 15-item scale offering the best fit. It was concluded that the OLBI is a psychometrically sound measure for assessing occupational burnout amongst healthcare professionals. Benchmarks for specific populations are outlined.
Considering the high risk posed to MHPs, effective interventions are crucial to sustain a healthy workforce. Individually focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has emerged as a promising approach. Through the completion of a systematic review and meta-analysis, the efficacy of CBT intervention waves in reducing burnout and stress among MHPs was examined. Sixteen of seventeen eligible studies were included in meta-analyses. Results indicated CBT interventions show potential for reducing burnout among MHP’s, particularly in longer-duration interventions. Effects regarding stress reduction were less conclusive. Methodological limitations, the broader research context, clinical implications, and future directions for research were discussed for both the literature review and empirical study.