Burnout in veterans health administration mental health providers in posttraumatic stress clinics.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct the first assessment of burnout among Veterans Health Administration (VHA) mental health clinicians providing evidence-based posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) care. This study consisted of 138 participants and the sample was mostly female (67%), Caucasian (non-Hispanic; 81%), and married (70%) with a mean age of 44.3 years (SD = 11.2). Recruitment was directed through VHA PTSD Clinical Teams (PCT) throughout the United States based on a nationwide mailing list of PCT Clinic Directors. Participants completed an electronic survey that assessed demographics, organizational work factors, absenteeism, and burnout (assessed through the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, MBI-GS). Twelve percent of the sample reported low Professional Efficacy, 50% reported high levels of Exhaustion, and 47% reported high levels of Cynicism as determined by the MBI-GS cut-off scores. Only workplace characteristics were significantly associated with provider scores on all 3 scales. Exhaustion and Cynicism were most impacted by perceptions of organizational politics/bureaucracy, increased clinical workload and control over how work is done. Organizational factors were also significantly associated with provider absenteeism and intent to leave his/her job. Findings suggest that providers in VHA specialty PTSD care settings may benefit from programs or supports aimed at preventing and/or ameliorating burnout.

Utilization of evidence-based psychotherapies in Veterans Affairs posttraumatic stress disorder outpatient clinics.

“…Although staffing is costly, increased delivery of EBPs may well result in long-term reductions in veterans’ service and disability needs, making staffing investments likely to prove cost-effective over time. The association between having emotional support from co-workers and increased adherence to the PE manual also suggests that maintaining high-quality relationships among PCT providers may have relevance not only for staff well-being (Garcia, McGeary, McGeary, Finley, & Peterson, 2014), but for the quality of care provided. Foa, Hembree, & Rothbaum (2007) have recommended that PE providers discuss challenging cases or seek emotional support when necessary, and dedicating time for VA mental health providers to engage in these activities may help to promote more effective delivery of evidence-based care.…”

The influence of trauma and patient characteristics on provider burnout in VA post‐traumatic stress disorder specialty programmes

“…Other researchers have suggested that certain aspects of the VHA workplace may serve to inoculate against burnout, such as better pay, more job security, and focus on quality improvement (Salyers, Rollins, Kelly, Lysaker, & Williams, ). In an examination of burnout among PCT clinicians, Garcia, McGeary, McGeary, Finley, and Peterson () found that workplace factors predicted burnout but that demographic characteristics did not. Specifically, the researchers found that PCT providers who felt they lacked control over their work, or that they had too much clinical work, reported greater exhaustion.…”

Beyond Binary Thinking: Providing Best Practice Treatment to Veterans with PTSD

“…Burnout may occur when providers experience exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy in the face of chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors at work (Maslach, Schaufeli & Leiter, 2001). Recent research has examined how organizational factors impact burnout, and findings indicate that high caseloads may contribute to the exhaustion of providers (that is, PTSD Clinical teams [PCT]) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA; Garcia, McGeary, McGeary, Finley, & Peterson, 2014;McGeary et al, 2016). Garcia and colleagues (2014) social costs to these clinicians burning out and thus recommend supporting VHA infrastructure to guard against burnout.…”