Oldenburg Burnout Inventory Research Articles

What is the Rate of Depersonalization and Burnout Among Hospital-Based Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners? A Review of Validated Instruments

Nurse practitioners (NPs) account for one-third of all hospital palliative care (PC) consults, and are prone to burnout and depersonalization (DP). DP threatens personalized communication fundamental to PC. This literature review examines instruments validated to measure burnout and DP. An electronic literature review of instruments previously used to measure burnout and DP was conducted in six databases. Three instruments were included in the review; the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)-Human Service Survey (HSS), the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). All three instruments measure DP or similar constructs and are validated in English, but only the OLBI and the BAT measure burnout with a sum score of the constructs. The OLBI has been validated on a single U.S. population study and as a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in Europe. The BAT is the newest instrument and has not been validated on any U.S. population.

Correlation between psychological resilience and burnout syndrome in oncologists amid the Covid-19 pandemic

PurposeOncologists are predisposed to developing burnout syndrome. Like other health care professionals worldwide, oncologists have endured additional, extreme challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Psychological resilience presents a potential protective mechanism against burnout. This cross-sectional study examines whether psychological resilience eased burnout syndrome among Croatian oncologists during the pandemic.MethodsAn anonymized self-reporting questionnaire was electronically distributed by the Croatian Society for Medical Oncology to 130 specialist and resident oncologists working in hospitals. Available for completion from September 6–24, 2021, the survey comprised demographic questions; the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), covering exhaustion and disengagement; and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The response rate was 57.7%.ResultsBurnout was moderate or high for 86% of respondents, while 77% had moderate or high psychological resilience. Psychological resilience was significantly negatively correlated with the OLBI exhaustion subscale (r = − .54; p < 0.001) and the overall OLBI score (r = − .46; p < 0.001). Scheffe’s post hoc test showed that oncologists with high resilience scored significantly lower on the overall OLBI (M = 2.89; SD = 0.487) compared to oncologists with low resilience (M = 2.52; SD = 0.493).ConclusionThe findings thus indicate that oncologists with high psychological resilience are at significantly lower risk of developing burnout syndrome. Accordingly, convenient measures to encourage psychological resilience in oncologists should be identified and implemented.

Primary Education in Wartime: How the Russian Invasion Affected Ukrainian Teachers and the Educational Process in Kryvyi Rih

The ability of children in Ukraine to continue their primary education after the Russian invasion is inextricably linked to the direct providers of education – primary school teachers. This study aimed to clarify the psychological effects of the war on Ukrainian primary school teachers and their everyday educational activities, using teachers in the city of Kryvyi Rih as a case study. The research design included personal and professional data, questions on changes in students and the educational process, Psychological Stress Measure (PSM-9), Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and Miroshnyk Teacher’s Roles Self-Assessment Scale (MiTeRoSA) integrated into an online survey conducted three months after the invasion. In the results, primary education in Ukraine during the invasion required teachers (n=495) to make significant changes in their work, namely shifts in schedules, increased workload, conducting remote lessons, providing tutoring for certain students, conducting crisis interventions with a broader range of subjects, and volunteering. The majority of the surveyed practitioners experienced considerable stress due to a significant increase in the amount of time they spent preparing their lessons. The psychological conditions of primary school teachers depended on the number of students who were expelled and new students who had been evacuated from other war-torn regions, the ability of school administrators to re-organize the work for online teaching, and perceived support from colleagues. All of these factors along with resilience were predictors of stress and burnout among teachers in wartime. Teachers experiencing burnout, especially exhaustion, high-stress scores, and low levels of resilience frequently evaluated the performance of their students with more leniency. In addition to a list of typical teachers’ roles (MiTeRoSA), teachers indicated frequently taking on the new roles of a ‘tutor’ and a ‘crisis counselor’ in response to the war.

한국판 올덴버그소진척도(K-OLBI) 타당화 연구

한국판 올덴버그소진척도(K-OLBI) 타당화 연구

Correlates of burnout among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea

Burnout is a form of negative emotional and physical response to job stress. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Korea and to explore correlates of burnout among healthcare workers. A nationwide questionnaire-based survey was conducted from December 1, 2020, to January 29, 2021 on 1425 healthcare workers who worked in one of the 16 healthcare facilities designated for COVID-19 care, in public health centers, or as paramedics in Korea. Burnout was assessed using 16 Korean-adapted items based on the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the R version 4.1.1 software program. OLBI results indicate clinically exhaustion in 84.5% (1204/1425) and clinically disengagement in 91.1% (1298/1425), and 77.3% (1102/1425) met the score criteria for both the exhaustion and disengagement subscales for burnout. Burnout rate was significantly increased in the group with chronic fatigue symptoms (Fatigue Severity Scale ≥ 3.22) after the outbreak of COVID-19 (OR, 3.94; 95% CI 2.80–5.56), in the female group (OR, 2.05; 95% CI 1.46–2.86), in the group with physical symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15 ≥ 10) after the outbreak of COVID-19 (OR, 2.03; 95% CI 1.14–3.60), in the group with a higher Global Assessment of Recent Stress scale (OR, 1.71; 95% CI 1.46–2.01), in the group with post-traumatic stress symptoms (Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-5 ≥ 2) (OR, 1.47; 95% CI 1.08–2.01), and in the younger age group(OR, 1.45; 95% CI 1.22–1.72). The chronic fatigue symptoms were correlated with cumulative days of care (OR, 1.18; 95% CI 1.02–1.37). The physical symptoms were correlated with average contact hours with COVID-19 patients per day (OR, 1.34; 95% CI 1.17–1.54), and cumulative days of care (OR, 1.21; 95% CI 1.06–1.38). Most Korean healthcare workers suffered from burnout related to excessive workload during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a widespread health crisis like COVID-19, it is necessary to regularly check the burnout status in healthcare workers and reduce their excessive workload by supplementing the workforce and providing appropriate working hours sufficient rest hours.

Long-term associations of psychosocial working conditions with depressive symptoms and work-related emotional exhaustion: comparing effects in a 5-year prospective study of 1949 workers in Germany.

To test the hypothesis that psychosocial working conditions are more strongly associated with subsequent work-related emotional exhaustion (core component of burnout) than with depressive symptoms at follow-up. A 5-year cohort study (2011/2012-2017), based on a random sample of persons in employment subject to payment of social contributions aged 31-60years (Study on Mental Health at Work; S-MGA; N = 1949), included self-reported measures of organisational demands (organisational layoffs and restructuring), task-level demands (work pace and amount of work) and job resources (influence at work, possibilities for development, control over working time, role clarity), all taken from the COPSOQ, except the organisational demands that were single-item measures. Work-related emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms were measured with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Cochrane Q tests revealed stronger associations between psychosocial working conditions and work-related emotional exhaustion only for the amount of work (p = 0.013) and control over working time (p = 0.027). No differences were observed for the Demands and Resources Indexes, capturing overall exposure to psychosocial working conditions. The same differences were observed in a subsample including only participants who remained at the same employer from baseline to follow-up, although more psychosocial working conditions were associated with work-related emotional exhaustion than with depressive symptoms. Supplementary analyses employing dichotomous measures of work-related emotional exhaustion and depressive symptoms confirmed these results. Overall, the findings provide limited evidence supporting the hypothesis that psychosocial working conditions are more strongly associated with work-related emotional exhaustion than with depressive symptoms.

Assessing Burnout and Well-Being in Higher Education Health Science Faculty

This study aimed to examine and compare the extent of burnout among health science faculty at a higher education institution and their self-reported perception of well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The design of the study was cross-sectional, descriptive survey research. An electronic questionnaire was developed to measure the constructs of burnout and well-being. Validated instruments used in the survey included the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) and the World Health Organization-5 Well-being Index. The Qualtrics ® platform was used to distribute the survey to all full-time faculty within the College of Health Sciences. 45 respondents from nursing, community and environmental health, kinesiology, social work, respiratory care, allied health sciences, and radiologic sciences completed the survey. Significant differences were observed in the extent of burnout and perception of well-being between faculty members who had clinical teaching responsibilities within their faculty role compared to those who did not, &lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt; = 0.005, Partial Eta Squared = 0.318. Faculty with a 9-month contract appointment had significantly lower OLBI-Disengagement scores (p = 0.024) and OLBI-Full Burnout scores (p = 0.047) compared with those with another contract length. There was a significantly negative relationship between the extent of burnout and perception of well-being. In this sample of health science faculty, burnout, as characterized by increased exhaustion and disengagement, was moderately prevalent and associated with poorer well-being.

Occupational burnout and chronic fatigue in the work of academic teachers-moderating role of selected health behaviours.

Increasing and changing demands for academic teachers worldwide are leading to different consequences, some of which are negative, such as physical and mental health impairment. With the job demands-resources model and the transactional model of occupational stress adopted as a theoretical framework, a cross-sectional study among Polish academic teachers was conducted. The aim of the study is to identify the role of vital personal resources understood as selected health-promoting behaviours, such as (1) stress-coping strategies, (2) sleep hygiene, and (3) using annual vacation leave, in the process of the regeneration. In a cross-sectional survey, the following variables have been assessed: 1) work-related stress using the Psychosocial Risk Scale, 2) occupational burnout using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), 3) chronic fatigue using the Polish adaptation of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and selected health behaviours of academic teachers 4) stress-coping strategies with the help of the Polish version of Mini-COPE and 5) rest: the amount of sleep and vacation days devoted to rest using a short questionnaire designed by the authors. The sample (N = 340) was comprised of academic teachers employed at Polish higher education institutions who have experienced changes in the work environment in recent years. We conducted a multiple regression analysis to determine the relationships among stress, burnout, and chronic fatigue, looking at coping strategies and rest as a moderator. The results indicate that there is a strong relationship between stress resulting from an excessively demanding work environment on the one hand and occupational burnout and chronic fatigue on the other. At the same time, selected health behaviours of academic teachers only slightly moderate the analyzed relationship. Avoidance strategies strengthen the relationship between stress and its negative consequences, while rest and-to a limited extent-the amount of sleep only slightly contribute to weakening the analyzed relationship.

Assessment of the risk of burnout and its associated factors in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in tremendous physical and psychological pressure on healthcare professionals, especially on those working in intensive care units (ICUs) and Emergency Departments (EDs). The present study intended to characterize the profile of these professionals which is associated with burnout and determine the potential predictors of such condition. A Prospective cohort study was carried out in a tertiary hospital between March 2020 and March 2021, in Salvador, Brazil. A standardized and validated version of the Oldenburg Burnout inventory (OLBI) was applied to assess risk of burnout together with data forms designed to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics and religious beliefs. ICU and ED healthcare professionals were evaluated during off-hours at two distinct periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and in 2021. Differences in the results obtained from each study participant between the timepoints were compared. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of burnout development independent of other confounding factors. Seventy-seven healthcare professionals with a median age of 33 (interquartile range [IQR]: 31-37.5) years and predominantly female (72.7%; n = 56) were enrolled. There were 62 professionals at risk of developing burnout through the OLBI. Those had a median age of 33 (IQR: 31-37) and female predominance (71%, n = 44). Disengagement and burnout were the only features which frequencies significantly changed over time, with increasing detection at the latest timepoint. Alcohol consumption was found to be an important risk factor for burnout development [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 10.8 (95% CI: 1.8-64.2)]. Importantly, working in the ICU [aOR: 0.04 (95%CI: 0.01-0.32)] and the habit of praying daily [aOR: 0.07 (95%CI: 0.01-0.41)] were characteristics linked to reduced odds of burnout. Disengagement substantially increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare professionals. Alcohol consumption favors the onset of burnout whereas habit of praying daily and working in the ICU are protective against such outcome. Institutional policies aimed at minimizing etilism may positively impact mental health of these professionals.

Mental health, wellbeing and burnout among medical students in the United Arab Emirates.

Medical students tend to experience high levels of stress during their studies, that can result in mental health disorders and burnout, further affecting academic performance and later ability to practice. To investigate previous and current mental health issues, significant sources of stress, burnout, and substance use among medical students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We conducted an online survey to collect data on demographics, sources of stress, mental health problems, burnout, and substance use in 385 medical students from the UAE University. We used the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12), and the CAGE questionnaire. Our results indicated that 5.7% of participants had been diagnosed with a mental health condition prior to joining medical school, and that 21.6% of participants were diagnosed with a mental illness while in medical school. On the OLBI, 77.4% screened positive for burnout (81.3% for disengagement and 95.1% for exhaustion), with 74.5% screening positive for mental health difficulties on the GHQ-12 and <1% screening positive on the CAGE for problem drinking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between scores on the OLBI and the GHQ-12. Our study indicated that high levels of stress, burnout and mental illness are experienced among medical students in the UAE.

Burnout syndrome in Primary Health Care.

The labor situation is considered essential for social follow-up; however, the contradiction between its importance and the psychic changes it can cause to workers should be considered. To check the presence of burnout syndrome in Primary Health Care workers in a municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo and to check the association with the sociodemographic and labor data of these workers. Exploratory cross-sectional and quantitative study with 74 workers and developed from July to October 2020. Data were collected using an instrument for sociodemographic and labor characterization and for measurement of the syndrome, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory already validated in Brazil. Descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, measures of central tendency and dispersion were used; Fisher's exact test was applied to check the association between the studied variables and the burnout syndrome, considering the significance level of p < 0.05. The obtained data were discussed using the existing literature. Among the participants, 20.3% had no changes, 18.9% showed distance, 16.2% had exhaustion, and 44.6% had burnout syndrome. There was statistical significance for the variable unit of work (p < 0.014). The importance of studying labor mental health in Primary Health Care is because of the constant exposure of workers to psychosocial risk situations in social settings and their instabilities. Knowledge of the conditions allows for intervention actions in the environments and makes it possible to face the problems.

The Relationship Between Psychological Distress of Nursing Faculty With Burnout.

Approximately 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress. Burnout affects approximately 38% of nurses and nurse faculty per year. Contributing factors, including growing levels of mental health issues, can be seen among nursing faculty, leading to more and more nurses leaving nursing academia. This study objective aimed to identify associations between psychological distress with burnout in nursing faculty teaching in an undergraduate nursing program. A quantitative design was utilized using a descriptive method with a convenience sample of nursing faculty (n = 150) from the Southeastern United States The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was correlated with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data. Psychological distress was reported in 25% of the sample. Burnout was reported in 94% of the sample. Psychological distress and burnout were significantly correlated (p < .05). Race, gender, and age (p < .05) contributed to psychological distress. Interventions promoting healthy mental well-being among nursing faculty are needed to address issues related to increasing rates of burnout and psychological distress. Implementation of workplace health promotion programs, increased mentorship, inclusion of diversity within nursing academia, and mental health awareness can improve mental health outcomes among nursing faculty. Further research is needed to explore the improvement of mental well-being among nursing faculty.

TEACHERS AND POSITIVE EDUCATION: SOME INDICATORS OF TEACHER PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

It is often heard that the mental health of the population in Serbia is compromised and that the educational system is continuously deteriorating. However, there is still limited discussion regarding psychological well-being as a positive aspect of mental health that is of significant importance to enhance. The research presented in this paper was conducted with the aim of determining the psychological well-being of teachers, by assessing the levels of some “positive” and “negative” indicators (positive orientation, life satisfaction, hope for the future, exhaustion, perceived stress). The sample included 196 teachers / professional associates (88% female) with work experience ranging from 0 to over 20 years. The following instruments were used to measure indicators of psychological well-being: the Perceived Stress Scale, the Subscale of Exhaustion from the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Optimism‒Pessimism Scale, the Positive Orientation Scale, the Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Hope for the Future Scale. The results show that teachers / professional associates report an increased level of perceived stress, but at the same time, they still find satisfaction in their profession. For participants showing high levels of Job Exhaustion and Perceived Stress, low levels of Life Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction, Positive Orientation, and Hope for the Future can be expected. As a way to improve mental health and psychological well-being of those employed in schools, the introduction of positive education programs in schools in Serbia is suggested.

Burnout, Stress, and Stimulant Abuse among Medical and Dental Students in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: An Analytical Study.

High levels of burnout, stress, and stimulant abuse have been reported among medical and dental students worldwide, with country-specific factors being contributors. The association, risk factors, and predictors of these three variables have not sufficiently been reported from Saudi Arabia, especially from the Western region. To determine the prevalence, association, and predictors of burnout, stress, and stimulant abuse among medical and dental students in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study included all second to sixth year medical and dental students enrolled at Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, during the 2019-2020 academic year. A self-administered, closed online questionnaire was administered. Data regarding stress were elicited using Cohen's 10-item Self-Perceived Stress Scale and regarding burnout using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory Student Version questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression model to identify the risk of burnout was conducted, and univariate and multiple linear regression models were carried out to identify the predictors of stress. Of 1016 eligible students, 732 responded (medical: 511; dental: 221). About half of the students experienced burnout (51.5%), with both high disengagement (49%) and exhaustion (45%). Most participants (90.3%) experienced moderate levels of stress. Eight (1.1%) respondents had experienced stimulant abuse; there was a no significant association between stimulant abuse and burnout in the multivariate analysis. Stress, age, gender, body mass index, GPA, study field, smoking, family income, and birth order were significant predictors of burnout, while burnout, age, gender, GPA, and physical exercise were significant predictors of stress. The findings in this study highlight the need for policymakers to devise strategies that target early identification as well as reduction of the high levels of burnout and stress.

Burnout and its associated factors among healthcare workers in COVID-19 isolation centres in Khartoum, Sudan: A cross-sectional study.

Burnout prevalence and its consequences on healthcare workers during the Omicron wave are not well investigated in Sudan. This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among doctors and nurses during the omicron wave in COVID-19 isolation centres in Khartoum, Sudan. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted at multiple COVID-19 isolation centres in Khartoum state during the omicron wave of Coronavirus Disease 2019 between 20th February 2022 and 10th April 2022. A total of 306 doctors and nurses filled out the questionnaire, with a response rate of 64.8℅. They were recruited from 5 isolation centers scattered in the three cities of Khartoum Metropolis. The level of burnout was assessed using an online semi-structured questionnaire based on the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for continuous variables and frequencies with percentages for categorical variables. The Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to identify variables associated with burnout. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with burnout, and the p-value of ≤ .05 is considered statistically significant. The prevalence of burnout was 45.7%. Doctors were more likely to have burnout than nurses (OR: 2.01, CI 95% 1.24-3.27; p = 0.005). Also, married healthcare workers were more likely to suffer burnout than single healthcare workers (OR: 3.89, CI 95% 1.41-12.5; P = 0.013). The number of household members (p = 0.035) was associated with burnout among participants. There is a high prevalence of burnout among healthcare workers in Khartoum Isolation Centers, which is more apparent among doctors.

Disability, program access, empathy and burnout in US medical students: A national study.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether self-disclosed disability and self-reported program access are associated with measures of empathy and burnout in a national sample of US medical students. The authors obtained data from students who responded to the Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Year 2 Questionnaire (Y2Q) in 2019 and 2020. Data included demographic characteristics, personal variables, learning environment indicators, measures of burnout (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory for Medical Students), empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index) and disability-related questions, including self-reported disability, disability category and program access. Associations between disability status, program access, empathy and burnout were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models accounting for YQ2 demographic, personal-related and learning environment measures. Overall, 23 898 (54.2%) provided disability data and were included. Of those, 2438 (10.2%) self-reported a disability. Most medical students with disabilities (SWD) self-reported having program access through accommodations (1215 [49.8%]) or that accommodations were not required for access (824 [33.8%]). Multivariable models identified that compared with students without disabilities, SWD with and without program access presented higher odds of high exhaustion (1.50 [95% CI, 1.34-1.69] and 2.59 [95% CI, 1.93-3.49], respectively) and lower odds of low empathy (0.75 [95% CI, 0.67-.85] and 0.68 [95% CI, 0.52-0.90], respectively). In contrast, multivariable models for disengagement identified that SWD reporting lack of program access presented higher odds of high disengagement compared to students without disabilities (1.43 [95% CI, 1.09-1.87], whereas SWD with program access did not (1.09 [95% CI, 0.97-1.22]). Despite higher odds of high exhaustion, SWD were less likely to present low empathy regardless of program access, and SWD with program access did not differ from students without disabilities in terms of disengagement. These findings add to our understanding of the characteristics and experiences of SWD including their contributions as empathic future physicians.

Structural equation modelling analysis on relationships of job demands and resources with work engagement, burnout and work ability: an observational study among physicians in Dutch hospitals

ObjectiveTo investigate to what extent work engagement mediates the relationships of job resources with work ability, and to what extent burnout mediates the relationships of job demands and resources with...

High prevalence of burnout syndrome among medical and nonmedical residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals have been working under extreme conditions, increasing the risk of physical and mental illness. We evaluated the prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among postgraduate student residents in health professions during the global health crisis. Healthcare residents were recruited from all across Brazil between July and September 2020 through digital forms containing instruments for assessing burnout (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI)), resilience (brief resilient coping scale (BRCS)) and anxiety, stress and depression (depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)). Additionally, the relationships between burnout and chronic diseases, autonomy and educational adequacy in the residency programme, personal protective equipment (PPE), workload and care for patients with COVID-19 were evaluated. The chi-square test, Student's t test, Pearson's correlation test and logistic regression were performed. A total of 1,313 participants were included: mean (standard deviation) age, 27.8 (4.4) years; female gender, 78.1%; white race, 59.3%; and physicians, 51.3%. The overall prevalence of burnout was 33.4%. The odds (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) of burnout were higher in the presence of pre-existing diseases (1.76 [1.26-2.47]) and weekly work > 60 h (1.36 [1.03-1.79]) and were lower in the presence of high resilience (0.84 [0.81-0.88]), autonomy (0.87 [0.81-0.93]), and educational structure (0.77 [0.73-0.82]), adequate availability of PPE (0.72 [0.63-0.83]) and non-white race (0.63 [0.47-0.83]). Burnout was correlated with anxiety (r = 0.47; p < 0.05), stress (r: 0.58; p < 0.05) and depression (r: 0.65; p < 0.05). We observed a high prevalence of burnout among residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual characteristics and conditions related to the work environment were associated with a higher or lower occurrence of the syndrome.

Ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Mohs histotechs.

Mohs histotechs are at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) due to repetitive motions, forceful exertions, and fixed postures required for their work. Psychosocial factors such as perceptions of pressure to achieve deadlines may exacerbate risk of occupational injury. To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for WRMSD in Mohs histotechs, an online survey was created using literature review, expert opinion, and two validated instruments (the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory) and distributed to Mohs histotechs. 88% of respondents reported musculoskeletal problems in 2 or more of the 9 body sites assessed in the past year. Standing during specimen processing was correlated with having neck pain and upper back pain, while sitting was protective against lower back pain. Individuals that felt that they could not take breaks or slow their pace of work were more likely to report pain at multiple body sites. Total pain scores were significantly lower in those reporting extensive ergonomic training. There is a high prevalence of WRMSD in Mohs histotechs. Addressing poor posture as well as psychosocial risk factors could further reduce injury.

Introducing the scr-OLBI

Abstract. The Greek version of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), used to assess exhaustion and disengagement from work, was analyzed using item response theory analyses to investigate the dimensionality and the psychometric properties of the measure’s items. The OLBI was administered to 617 Greek employees, of whom 314 also participated in the validation study. The results indicated that four negatively keyed items from the original measure exhibited excellent psychometric properties (item/test information functions) and were used for the construction of a shorter version of the OLBI. The scr-OLBI, composed of the first letters of the word “screening,” was tested for differential item functioning between male and female employees; no bias was detected in relation to gender. Our results reveal that the scr-OLBI is a reliable and valid indicator of work-related burnout, which appears to be functionally equivalent to the original version both theoretically and empirically, yet exhibits the advantages of a short measure.