Assessment Of Burnout Research Articles

Organizational Levels of Analysis of Communication Satisfaction and Identification in Relation to Job Satisfaction

The central theme of this article is burnout and sleep quality among head teachers. The paper aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the burnout dimensions exhaustion, cynicism, and competence and sleep quality. Adopting a quantitative approach, the most widely acknowledge tool for measuring burnout, the Maslach burnout inventory (MBI), was incorporated in the questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality. The questionnaire was then distributed to 600 head teachers in Malaysia. Responses to the MBI revealed that head teachers in Malaysia exhibited a high level of burnout. Respondents also reported a low level of sleep quality. In addition a negative relationship exists between burnout and sleep quality. Expansion of the quantitative data with respondents‟ comments indicated that head teachers perceived that their workload has reached a level that they cannot sustain and which constitutes a serious risk their quality of life. This article pinpoints the many “problems” faced by head teachers how it causes burnout and also thereafter affect their sleep quality. This study also indicated the need for simultaneous assessment of burnout and sleep quality.

An Assessment of Burnout in Graduate Assistant Certified Athletic Trainers

Graduate assistant athletic trainers (GAATs) must balance the demands of clinical care and the academic load of graduate-level students. To examine burnout among GAATs with clinical assistantships at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I institutions and to identify the personal and situational variables that are related to burnout. Cross-sectional study. Division I universities offering graduate assistantship programs. Two hundred one GAATs enrolled at NCAA Division I universities with graduate assistantship positions. The Athletic Training Burnout Inventory, which assesses stress and burnout among ATs through 4 constructs: emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, administrative responsibility, time commitment, and organizational support. The 6-point Likert scale is anchored by 1 (never true) and 6 (always true). The GAATs who traveled with athletic teams (4.051 ± 0.895) and those who provided classroom instruction (4.333 ± 1.16) reported higher levels of stress due to time commitment than those who did not travel (3.713 ± 1.22) or teach (3.923 ± 0.929). We also found a difference in administrative responsibility across clinical settings (F(6,194) = 3.507, P = .003). The results showed that GAATs in NCAA Division I clinical settings (44.55 ± 13.17 hours) worked more hours than those in NCAA Division III clinical settings (33.69 ± 12.07 hours) and those in high school settings (30.51 ± 9.934 hours). Graduate assistant ATs are at risk for burnout because of the time necessary to complete their clinical and academic responsibilities and their additional administrative responsibilities. Graduate assistants who work in the Division I clinical setting are at greater risk for burnout than those in the secondary school setting because of the large number of hours required.

Avoiding Burnout

To evaluate the health habits, routine medical care practices, and personal wellness strategies of American surgeons and explore associations with burnout and quality of life (QOL). Burnout and low mental QOL are common among US surgeons and seem to adversely affect quality of care, job satisfaction, career longevity, and risk of suicide. The self-care strategies and personal wellness promotion practices used by surgeons to deal with the stress of practice are not well explored. Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous, cross-sectional survey in October 2010. The survey included self-assessment of health habits, routine medical care practices, and personal wellness strategies and standardized assessments of burnout and QOL. Of 7197 participating surgeons, 3911 (55.0%) participated in aerobic exercise and 2611 (36.3%) in muscle strengthening activities, in a pattern consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The overall and physical QOL scores were superior for surgeons' following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations (all P < 0.0001). A total of 3311 (46.2%) participating surgeons had seen their primary care provider in the last 12 months. Surgeons who had seen their primary care provider in the last 12 months were more likely to be up to date with all age-appropriate health care screening and had superior overall and physical QOL scores (all P < 0.0001). Ratings of the importance of 16 personal wellness promotion strategies differed for surgeons without burnout (all P < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, surgeons placing greater emphasis on finding meaning in work, focusing on what is important in life, maintaining a positive outlook, and embracing a philosophy that stresses work/life balance were less likely to be burned out (all P < 0.0001). Although many factors associated with lower risk of burnout were also associated with achieving a high overall QOL, notable differences were observed, indicating surgeons' need to employ a broader repertoire of wellness promotion practices if they desire to move beyond neutral and achieve high well-being. This study identifies specific measures surgeons can take to decrease burnout and improve their personal and professional QOL.

Special Report

Suicide is a disproportionate cause of death for US physicians. The prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI) among surgeons and their use of mental health resources are unknown. Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous cross-sectional survey in June 2008. The survey included questions regarding SI and use of mental health resources, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life. Of 7905 participating surgeons (response rate, 31.7%), 501 (6.3%) reported SI during the previous 12 months. Among individuals 45 years and older, SI was 1.5 to 3.0 times more common among surgeons than the general population (P < .02). Only 130 surgeons (26.0%) with recent SI had sought psychiatric or psychologic help, while 301 (60.1%) were reluctant to seek help due to concern that it could affect their medical license. Recent SI had a large, statistically significant adverse relationship with all 3 domains of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment) and symptoms of depression. Burnout (odds ratio, 1.910; P < .001) and depression (odds ratio, 7.012; P < .001) were independently associated with SI after controlling for personal and professional characteristics. Other personal and professional characteristics also related to the prevalence of SI. Although 1 of 16 surgeons reported SI in the previous year, few sought psychiatric or psychologic help. Recent SI among surgeons was strongly related to symptoms of depression and a surgeon's degree of burnout. Studies are needed to determine how to reduce SI among surgeons and how to eliminate barriers to their use of mental health resources.

High Incidence of Burnout in Academic Chairpersons of Anesthesiology

Burnout is a work-related psychologic syndrome characterized by emotional exhaustion, low personal accomplishment, and depersonalization. By using an instrument that included the MBI-HHS Burnout Inventory, we surveyed academic anesthesiology chairpersons in the United States. Current level of job satisfaction compared with 1 and 5 yr before the survey, likelihood of stepping down as chair in the next 2 yr, and a high risk of burnout were the primary outcomes. Of the 117 chairs surveyed, 102 (87%) responded. Nine surveys had insufficient responses for assessment of burnout. Of 93 chairs, 32 (34%) reported high current job satisfaction, which represented a significant decline compared with that reported for 1 yr (P = 0.009) and 5 yr (P = 0.001) before the survey. Of 93 chairs, 26 (28%) reported extreme likelihood of stepping down as a chair in 1-2 yr. There was no association of age (P = 0.16), sex (P = 0.82), or self-reported effectiveness (P = 0.63) with anticipated likelihood of stepping down, but there was a negative association between the modified efficacy scale scoρrgr; = -0.303, P = 0.003) and likelihood of stepping down. Of 93 chairs, 26 (28%) met the criteria for high burnout and an additional 29 (31%) met the criteria for moderately high burnout. Decreased current job satisfaction and low self-reported spousal/significant other support were independent predictors of high burnout risk. Fifty-one percent of academic anesthesiology chairs exhibit a high incidence/risk of burnout. Age, sex, time as a chair, hours worked, and perceived effectiveness were not associated with high burnout; however, low job satisfaction and reduced self-reported spousal/significant other support significantly increased the risk.

Surgeon Distress as Calibrated by Hours Worked and Nights on Call

The relationships of working hours and nights on call per week with various parameters of distress among practicing surgeons have not been previously examined in detail. More than 7,900 members of the American College of Surgeons responded to an anonymous, cross-sectional survey. The survey included self-assessment of their practice setting, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life. There was a clear gradient between hours and burnout, with the prevalence of burnout ranging from 30% for surgeons working <60 hours/week, 44% for 60 to 80 hours/week, and 50% for those working >80 hours/week (p < 0.001). When correlated with number of nights on call, burnout exhibited a threshold effect at ≥2 nights on call/week (≤1 nights on call/week, 30%; ≥2 nights on call/week, 44% to 46%; p < 0.0001). Screening positive for depression rate also correlated strongly with hours and nights on call (both p < 0.0001). Those who worked >80 hours/week reported a higher rate of medical errors compared with those who worked <60 hours/week (10.7% versus 6.9%; p < 0.001), and were twice as likely to attribute the error to burnout (20.1% versus 8.9%; p = 0.001). Not surprisingly, work and home conflicts were higher among surgeons who worked longer hours or had ≥2 nights on call. A significantly higher proportion of surgeons who worked >80 hours/week or had >2 nights on call/week would not become a surgeon again (p < 0.0001). Number of hours worked and nights on call per week appear to have a substantial impact on surgeons, both professionally and personally. These factors are strongly related to burnout, depression, career satisfaction, and work and home conflicts.

Assessment of burnout among students. Validation of the Hungarian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Version (MBI-SS)

Háttér: A kiégés prevalenciája egyre magasabb az egyetemi/főiskolai hallgatók körében, de Magyarországon egyelőre nem áll rendelkezésre olyan validált mérőeszköz, mely a kiégés szintjét megbízhatóan méri ebben a populációban. Célkitűzés: A Maslach Kiégés-teszt Hallgatói Változata (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Version; MBI-SS) hazai adaptációjának leírása és pszichometriai jellemzőinek elemzése. Módszerek: Keresztmetszeti vizsgálatot végeztünk önkitöltős kérdőíves felméréssel 496 orvostanhallgató és mérnökhallgató körében. A konstruktumérvényesség vizsgálatához a Rövidített Beck Depresszió Kérdőívet, az Észlelt Stressz Kérdőívet, valamint egy szomatikus tüneteket mérő tesztet használtuk, míg a konvergens validitás megállapításához az MBI humán szférára használatos, hallgatókra módosított változatát (MBI-HHS) alkalmaztuk. A faktorszerkezet ellenőrzésére exploratív faktoranalízist végeztünk. Eredmények: Az MBI-SS belső megbízhatósága igen jónak bizonyult (Cronbach-alfa=0,82). Az MBI-SS időbeli stabilitását mérő teszt-reteszt vizsgálat eredményei szintén magas korrelációt mutattak (r=0,73, p<0,0001). Az MBI-SS 15 itemének exploratív faktoranalízise hármas struktúrát alkotott (kimerülés, cinizmus és hatékonyságcsökkenés). Az MBI-HSS-sel való konvergensvaliditás vizsgálat erős korrelációt mutatott (r=0,71, p<0,001), míg a depressziót, stresszt és szomatikus tüneteket vizsgáló tesztekkel való diszkrimináns validitás közepes korrelációt jelzett (r=0,34–0,61; p≤0,003). Konklúzió: Az MBI-SS kérdőív magyar változata megbízható és érvényes mérőeszköznek bizonyult a hallgatói kiégés mérésében.

Burnout and Medical Errors Among American Surgeons

To evaluate the relationship between burnout and perceived major medical errors among American surgeons. Despite efforts to improve patient safety, medical errors by physicians remain a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Members of the American College of Surgeons were sent an anonymous, cross-sectional survey in June 2008. The survey included self-assessment of major medical errors, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life (QOL). Of 7905 participating surgeons, 700 (8.9%) reported concern they had made a major medical error in the last 3 months. Over 70% of surgeons attributed the error to individual rather than system level factors. Reporting an error during the last 3 months had a large, statistically significant adverse relationship with mental QOL, all 3 domains of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) and symptoms of depression. Each one point increase in depersonalization (scale range, 0-33) was associated with an 11% increase in the likelihood of reporting an error while each one point increase in emotional exhaustion (scale range, 0-54) was associated with a 5% increase. Burnout and depression remained independent predictors of reporting a recent major medical error on multivariate analysis that controlled for other personal and professional factors. The frequency of overnight call, practice setting, method of compensation, and number of hours worked were not associated with errors on multivariate analysis. Major medical errors reported by surgeons are strongly related to a surgeon's degree of burnout and their mental QOL. Studies are needed to determine how to reduce surgeon distress and how to support surgeons when medical errors occur.

Burnout as a predictor of all-cause mortality among industrial employees: A 10-year prospective register-linkage study

Objective Burnout, a psychological consequence of prolonged work stress, has been shown to coexist with physical and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether burnout is related to all-cause mortality among employees. Methods In 1996, of 15,466 Finnish forest industry employees, 9705 participated in the ‘Still Working’ study and 8371 were subsequently identified from the National Population Register. Those who had been treated in a hospital for the most common causes of death prior to the assessment of burnout were excluded on the basis of the Hospital Discharge Register, resulting in a final study population of 7396 people. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey. Dates of death from 1996 to 2006 were extracted from the National Mortality Register. Mortality was predicted with Cox hazard regression models, controlling for baseline sociodemographic factors and register-based health status according to entitled medical reimbursement and prescribed medication for mental health problems, cardiac risk factors, and pain problems. Results During the 10-year 10-month follow-up, a total of 199 employees had died. The risk of mortality per one-unit increase in burnout was 35% higher (95% CI 1.07–1.71) for total score and 26% higher (0.99–1.60) for exhaustion, 29% higher for cynicism (1.03–1.62), and 22% higher for diminished professional efficacy (0.96–1.55) in participants who had been under 45 at baseline. After adjustments, only the associations regarding burnout and exhaustion were statistically significant. Burnout was not related to mortality among the older employees. Conclusion Burnout, especially work-related exhaustion, may be a risk for overall survival.

Alexithymia and its association with burnout, depression and family support among Greek nursing staff

BackgroundFew studies have examined the relation between alexithymia (i.e. the inability to recognize and verbalize emotions) and professional burnout. Considering the absence of relevant studies in the Greek scientific literature, the aim of this work was to examine the associations of alexithymia with the three facets of professional burnout, the perception of family support and depression in nursing personnel.MethodsThe study was performed in one of the largest hospitals in Greece and included 95 nurses. Assessments of alexithymia, burnout, depression and family support were made by means of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Julkunen Family Support Scale, respectively. Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation and stepwise linear regression were used for the evaluation of data.ResultsAlexithymia was correlated positively with depression, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and negatively with sense of family support and personal achievement. Additionally, family support was correlated positively with personal achievement and negatively with depression.ConclusionIn the scientific literature there is a debate as to whether alexithymia is a stable personality characteristic or if it is dependent on symptoms of mental disorders. We tried to interpret the associations of alexithymia with professional burnout, depressive symptoms and family support. From this study it appears very likely that alexithymia is directly associated with depression and personal achievement, but also - indirectly - with the sense of family support.

An assessment of burnout in undergraduate athletic training education program directors.

Athletic training education program directors (ATEPDs) often manage their time among students, program administration, and patient care. To assess the level of burnout in ATEPDs and to determine the relationship between burnout and various demographics of ATEPDs. Cross-sectional study. Public and private colleges and universities nationwide. Two hundred forty-nine ATEPDs of undergraduate athletic training education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to all participants. The MBI consisted of 21 items assessing 3 characteristics of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Another component of the survey requested demographic information about the ATEPDs. We used univariate, multivariate, and factorial analyses of variance with the alpha level set a priori at .05. We also calculated Pearson product moment correlation coefficients. Women had greater emotional exhaustion than men (20.67 +/- 9.43 and 16.47 +/- 9.64, respectively) (P = .001). The difference between tenure-status groups for emotional exhaustion was significant (P = .014), with tenure-track ATEPDs scoring higher on emotional exhaustion than tenured ATEPDs. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients revealed a weak negative relationship among emotional exhaustion and age (r = -0.263, P < .001), years of program director experience (r = -0.157, P = .013), and years at current job (r = -0.162, P = .010), indicating that as ATEPDs aged, gained more experience, and stayed in their current jobs, their emotional exhaustion scores decreased. There was also a weak negative relationship between age and depersonalization (r = -0.171, P = .007). There was a weak positive relationship between years at current job and personal accomplishment (r = 0.197, P = .002). We found that ATEPDs experienced a moderate form of emotional exhaustion burnout and low depersonalization and personal accomplishment burnout, with women experiencing greater emotional exhaustion than males. Additionally, ATEPDs in tenure-track positions experienced greater emotional exhaustion than tenured ATEPDs. The ATEPDs need to obtain healthy coping strategies early within their directorships to manage components related to burnout.

Valoración psicométrica del Cuestionario de Acoso Psicológico Percibido

The aim of this study was to develop and to examine some psychometric properties of the Perceived Mobbing Questionnaire, a 15-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure the feeling of workplace mobbing. A sample of 390 workers in human services completed the Perceived Mobbing Questionnaire and additional self-report assessments of health and burnout. The data were analysed both by items and by scales, using more appropriate factoring techniques. Results showed a high internal consistency for CAPP reliability (a = .92), as well as a clear one-factor structure of the scale. Lastly, the correlations of mobbing with burnout and health can be seen as evidence of validity.

Prediction Model for Stress Fracture in Young Female Recruits during Basic Training

To develop a new prediction model for stress fractures (SF) in female recruits during basic training (BT) to identify risk factors and to try to prevent orthopedic injuries. Measurements and data collection were taken from three companies of gender-integrated recruited units before the BT program (a total of 227 females and 83 males). Measurements included anthropometric variables, blood samples for hematology profile and markers for bone metabolism, fitness tests, bone quality (peripheral quantitative computed tomography), nutritional and activity habits, psychological assessment, and medical evaluation. SF were diagnosed during BT by bone scintigraphy and/or magnetic resonance imaging. All collected measurements were used to construct a new prediction model for the 27 and 192 female soldiers found with and without stress fracture, respectively. There were no SF in the male soldiers. The model successfully predicts 76.5% of the female soldiers with and without stress fractures (SF) as follows:PSF = -13.98 + 0.079 Ht - 0.014 Fe + 0.464 BUR - 0.105 BMI + 0.035 Ferritin,where PSF is the SF prediction according to the log odds(SF); odds(SF) is the ratio between probability of SF existence and nonexistence; Ht is the height (cm); BUR is a subjective assessment of burnout on a scale of 1 to 7; Fe is the iron blood level (microg x dL); ferritin is the iron storage level (ng x mL); and BMI is the body mass index (kg x m). A young female recruited to an integrated light combat unit is at risk for stress fracture if she is tall, lean, feels "burnout," has iron deficiency, and is at the high end of the normal ferritin range. However, further evaluation is required in different populations, conditions, and training programs to evaluate these results.

Prediction Model for Stress Fracture in Young Female Recruits during Basic Training

PURPOSE: To develop a new prediction model for stress fractures in female recruits during basic training in order to identify risk factors and to try to prevent orthopedic injuries. METHODS: Measurements and data collection were taken from 3 companies of gender integrated recruited units prior to the basic training program (a total of 227 females and 83 males). Measurements included anthropometric variables, blood samples for hematology profile and markers for bone metabolism, fitness tests, bone quality (pQCT), nutritional and activity habits, psychological assessment, and medical evaluation. Stress fractures were diagnosed during basic training by bone scintigraphy, and/or MR imaging. RESULTS: All collected measurements were used to construct a new prediction model for the 27 and 192 female soldiers found with and without stress fracture, respectively. There were no stress fractures in the male soldiers. The model successfully predicts 76.5% of the female soldiers with and without stress fractures (SF) as follows: PSF=−13.98+0.079Ht−0.014Fe+0.464BUR−0.105BMI+0.035Ferritin where: PSF- Stress fracture prediction according to the Log Odds(SF); Odds(SF)- The ratio between probability of SF existence and nonexistence; Ht- height (cm); BUR- A subjective assessment of burnout on a scale of 0-7; Fe- Iron blood level (Micgr/dl); Ferritin - Iron storage level (ng/ml); BMI- Body mass index (kg/m2). CONCLUSION: A young female recruited to an integrated light combat unit is at risk for stress fracture if she is tall, lean, feels "burnout", has iron deficiency, and is at the high end of the normal ferritin values. However, further evaluation is required in different populations, conditions, and training programs to evaluate these results.

Assessment of emotional burnout and stage of stress in medical staff of a hospice

Assessment of emotional burnout and stage of stress in medical staff of a hospice

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory

Although the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is widely used to assess burnout in human service workers, doubt has been cast on the usefulness of the conceptualization on which it is based and the independence of its subscales. A confirmatory factor analysis using the methodology employed in a previous study of child welfare workers revealed that the final model had only a minimally adequate fit and the constructs of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were not separate and unique. The findings suggest that research in child welfare settings should avoid continued reliance on the MBI for the assessment of burnout. Scales that are balanced in terms of positive and negative items and where each dimension represents a distinct construct need to be developed.

Relationships of Work and Practice Environment to Professional Burnout

Research has established clear links between nurses' experience of professional burnout and many qualities of work environments but more work is needed to clarify interrelationships among aspects of complex organizational settings. To test a nursing worklife model that defined structured relationships among professional practice environment qualities and burnout. Hospital-based nurses in Canada (N = 8,597) completed an assessment of worklife (Nursing Work Index, NWI) and burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Scale, MBI-HSS). A causal model was used to confirm the factor structure of the Professional Environment Scale (NWI-PES) on a subset of NWI items and the factor structure of the MBI-HSS. The analysis provided support for a structural model (nursing worklife model) linking the five worklife factors used to define a fundamental role for nursing leadership in determining the quality of worklife regarding policy involvement, staffing levels, support for a nursing model of care, and physician-nurse relationships. The analysis supported a direct path (negatively weighted) from staffing to emotional exhaustion and a direct path (positively weighted) from nursing model of care to personal accomplishment. Implications for refining a model of worklife are discussed. Implications for enhancing the quality of worklife and supporting engagement with work are considered.

Post-duty psychomotor performance in young and senior anaesthetists

The level of performance in junior and senior anaesthetists was investigated after 24-h shift working and on-call duties. Pre- and post-duty psychomotor function, influence on response time, cognitive function and well-being in 23 individuals (13 junior and 12 senior anaesthetists) was assessed before and after 24-h in-house on-call duty. Subjective perception of tiredness and concentration abilities was estimated by applying a visual analogue scale. The self-assessed tiredness prior to duty was high in both age groups and significantly increased in senior anaesthetists after night duty (P = 0.01). Post-duty impairment of concentration abilities was reported in both groups. Comparing results from pre- and post-duty psychometric testing showed a comparable decline in junior and senior anaesthetists as well. Assessment of burnout showed a significant lack of personal accomplishment in junior anaesthetists as compared to their older colleagues (P = 0.038). Senior anaesthetists judged their contribution to patient well-being significantly higher than did their younger colleagues (P = 0.035). Although tiredness and subjective impairment of concentration abilities was high in senior anaesthetists after 24-h in-house on-call duty, performance assessed by psychometric testing does not support the hypothesis that senior colleague's performance cannot keep up with routine hospital shift work.

The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout

So far, the large majority of studies on burnout in the international literature have employed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). In this paper we criticize the MBI on a number of points and present a new tool for the measurement of burnout: the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The CBI consists of three scales measuring personal burnout, work-related burnout, and client-related burnout, for use in different domains. On the basis of an ongoing prospective study of burnout in employees in the human service sector, the PUMA study (Project on Burnout, Motivation and Job Satisfaction; N=1914 at baseline), we analysed the validity and reliability of the CBI. All three scales were found to have very high internal reliability, and non-response rates were small. The scales differentiated well between occupational groups in the human service sector, and the expected pattern with regard to correlations with other measures of fatigue and psychological well-being was found. Furthermore, the three scales predicted future sickness absence, sleep problems, use of pain-killers, and intention to quit. Analyses of changes over time showed that substantial proportions of the employees changed with regard to burnout levels. It is concluded that the analyses indicate very satisfactory reliability and validity for the CBI instrument. The CBI is being used in a number of countries and translations into eight languages are available.

Dentists’ self assessment of burnout: an internet feedback tool

The Stress Thermometer is an easily accessible Internet-based instrument for feedback on work stress and burnout. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of this instrument and to determine its applicability within the dental practice. The Stress Thermometer was made accessible to all members of the Dutch Dental Association, of which 77% of all Dutch dentists are members. Frequency of use was determined, and descriptive data was collected. During an evaluation period of 5 months at least 12% of all possible respondents made use of the Stress Thermometer. Descriptive characteristics of the response group, as well as levels of burnout and work stress, corresponded with those found in the Dutch dentist population. However, some deviations were also present. Results indicate the applicability of the Stress Thermometer to a representative variety of dentists. Although the deviations found should not be ignored in future use, the Stress Thermometer was successful in reaching a population that is difficult to reach. It effectively calls attention to sensitive personal issues concerning work-related stress and burnout.