Determining the Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Job Satisfaction and Burnout Levels in Physiotherapists

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between compassion fatigue, job satisfaction and burnout levels in physiotherapists.
 Material and Methods: A total of 147 physiotherapists were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information (age and gender), marital status, working year, field of study (neurological rehabilitation (pediatric rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation) and orthopedic rehabilitation (sports rehabilitation, prosthesis-orthotics rehabilitation)) and institution information (public, private) of the individuals were recorded. Compassion fatigue was evaluated with the Compassion Scale, job satisfaction was evaluated with the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the level of burnout was evaluated with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were filled in by individuals online.
 Results: A total of 147 physiotherapists, 40 male and 107 female, were included in the study. A positive significant correlation was found between the compassion scale and the job satisfaction scale (r=0.261, p=0.001). On the Maslach burnout inventory, there was a negative correlation between the Compassion Scale with emotional exhaustion (r=-0.195, p=0.018) and personal achievement score (r=-0.270, p=0.001), and a positive correlation with depersonalization (r=0.413, p=0.000). In addition, a significant difference was found in the Compassion Scale in terms of gender (p=0.008) and field of study (p=0.044).
 Conclusion: In this study, in which compassion fatigue was evaluated for the first time in physiotherapists, it was determined that as compassion fatigue increased, job satisfaction decreased and exhaustion increased. At the same time, compassion fatigue is more common in male physiotherapists and physiotherapists working in neurology and pediatrics rehabilitation.