Abstract
Job burnout is a threat for physical therapists. Little research has been conducted to identify possible protective factors against burnout in this population. Accordingly, we utilized the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and self-determination theory to guide our examination of basic psychological needs as factors to predict burnout in physical therapists. One hundred and two licensed physical therapists completed surveys. Higher levels of autonomy, competence and relatedness predicted burnout, even after accounting for job demands. Job resources, such as the basic psychological needs outlined by the self-determination theory, along with perceived respect, buffer the negative effects of secondary trauma on burnout. The job resource of perceived respect also buffers the negative effects of the physical demands of the job on burnout. These findings suggest that while job demands can be difficult to change, increasing the fulfillment of job resources can help ameliorate burnout in physical therapists. The present findings highlight the need for workplace interventions which cultivate the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to address burnout among physical therapists.
Highlights
There is a concern regarding burnout among healthcare professionals [1]
Burnout is a form of occupational stress that manifests over time and includes the following symptoms: feelings of cynicism, overwhelming exhaustion and a lack of accomplishment [2,3]
The majority were female (69.2%), with an average age of 44 years old and a median income of USD 70,000–79,000. These data are consistent with the national averages, with 69.5% females in the physical therapists (PTs) workforce, an average PT salary of USD 72,820.00 and mean age of 41 years (DataUSA, n.d.)
Summary
There is a concern regarding burnout among healthcare professionals [1]. Burnout is a form of occupational stress that manifests over time and includes the following symptoms: feelings of cynicism (i.e., inability to connect to clients resulting from negative or cynical feelings about them), overwhelming exhaustion (i.e., depletion of psychological resources) and a lack of accomplishment [2,3]. It has long been recognized that burnout disproportionally affects individuals who spend greater amounts of time in direct patient care [4,5]. This is especially the case for physical therapists (PTs) whose primary responsibilities involve the direct care of patients suffering from musculoskeletal ailments. The negative effects of burnout can be devastating for the patient, practitioner, and organization. Organizations suffer from employee burnout due to the increasing costs of employee turnover [1], patient errors and lower overall patient satisfaction [9]. A primary objective of this study was to identify factors that may protect against burnout in PTs and provide guidance for future interventions
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