Assessing burnout rates and contributing factors in emergency medical services clinicians

Abstract

Background Burnout is costly to the healthcare system and is associated with medical error, absenteeism, and attrition. Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians endure numerous stressors that predispose them to experience burnout. Methods An instrument was administered to licensed EMS clinicians recruited from 16 services across Massachusetts. The anonymous survey consisted of demographics, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) instrument, and 5-possibility Likert scales. Prevalence ratios were calculated to determine which demographic qualities and burnout-related factors were associated with increased CBI scores. Results In total, 386 EMTs were surveyed (62.2% male). The survey response rate was 21.4%. The mean CBI was 52.97 (SD 17.88). A positive burnout screen (CBI score = >50) was calculated for 55.4% of respondents. Respondents most often reported that inadequate compensation (87.5%) and high call volume (79.2%) contributed to perceived stress at work. Factors most associated with positive burnout screening amongst respondents were inadequate compensation (PR 5.8, CI 2.52–12.38, p < 0.001) and inadequate opportunity to process trauma (PR 2.88, CI 2.14–3.87, p < 0.001). Conclusion Over half of the surveyed EMS population suffers from burnout, based on the CBI assessment tool. Factors contributing most to positive burnout screening include inadequate compensation and lack of opportunity to process trauma.