Burnout Syndrome and Work-Related Stress in Physical and Occupational Therapists Working in Different Types of Hospitals: Which Group Is the Most Vulnerable?

Ju-Hyun Kim, Ae-Ryoung Kim, Myung-Gwan Kim, Chul-Hyun Kim, Ki-Hoon Lee, Donghwi Park and Jong-Moon Hwang
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Ju-Hyun Kim: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea
Ae-Ryoung Kim: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea
Myung-Gwan Kim: Graduate School of Public Health, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
Chul-Hyun Kim: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea
Ki-Hoon Lee: Mompyeonhan Rehabilitation Clinic, Daegu 42401, Korea
Donghwi Park: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Dong-gu, Ulsan 44033, Korea
Jong-Moon Hwang: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Because of the nature of their work, physical and occupational therapists are at high risk of burnout, which is associated with decreased job satisfaction, medical errors, and mental wellbeing in healthcare professionals. To well manage and minimize potential impact of burnout, risk factors should be determined. This study examined burnout and job stress in physical and occupational therapists in various Korean hospital settings. Physical and occupational therapists from several rehabilitation facilities in South Korea completed a survey between March–May 2019. A set of questionnaires, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Job Content Questionnaire, were distributed to all participants. In total, 325 professionals (131 men and 194 women) were recruited. Burnout and work-related stress differed significantly according to several factors. Hospital size, gender, and age were the main contributory factors affecting at least two dimensions of the questionnaires. The more vulnerable group consisted of female therapists in their 20s at small- or medium-sized hospitals with low scores for quality of life. High levels of job stress and burnout were observed in female therapists in their 20s at small- or medium-sized hospitals. Hospitals and society should create suitable environments and understand the nature of therapists’ work to improve healthcare.

Keywords: burnout syndrome; vulnerable group; physical therapist; occupational therapist; gender; hospital size; age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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