Burnout Subtypes and Absence of Self-Compassion in Primary Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundPrimary healthcare professionals report high levels of distress and burnout. A new model of burnout has been developed to differentiate three clinical subtypes: ‘frenetic’, ‘underchallenged’ and ‘worn-out’. The aim of this study was to confirm the validity and reliability of the burnout subtype model in Spanish primary healthcare professionals, and to assess the explanatory power of the self-compassion construct as a possible protective factor.MethodThe study employed a cross-sectional design. A sample of n = 440 Spanish primary healthcare professionals (214 general practitioners, 184 nurses, 42 medical residents) completed the Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire (BCSQ-36), the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The factor structure of the BCSQ-36 was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) by the unweighted least squares method from polychoric correlations. Internal consistency (R) was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variables. The relationships between the BCSQ-36 and the other constructs were analysed using Spearman’s r and multiple linear regression models.ResultsThe structure of the BCSQ-36 fit the data well, with adequate CFA indices for all the burnout subtypes. Reliability was adequate for all the scales and sub-scales (R≥0.75). Self-judgement was the self-compassion factor that explained the frenetic subtype (Beta = 0.36; p<0.001); isolation explained the underchallenged (Beta = 0.16; p = 0.010); and over-identification the worn-out (Beta = 0.25; p = 0.001). Other significant associations were observed between the different burnout subtypes and the dimensions of the MBI-GS, UWES and PANAS.ConclusionsThe typological definition of burnout through the BCSQ-36 showed good structure and appropriate internal consistence in Spanish primary healthcare professionals. The negative self-compassion dimensions seem to play a relevant role in explaining the burnout profiles in this population, and they should be considered when designing specific treatments and interventions tailored to the specific vulnerability of each subtype.

Can Self‐Compassion Promote Healthcare Provider Well‐Being and Compassionate Care to Others? Results of a Systematic Review

“…Eleven empirical studies (Heffernan, Quinn Griffin, McNulty, & Fitzpatrick, ; Crarey, ; Senyuva, Kaya, Isik, & Bodur, ; Olson & Kemper, ; Olson, Kemper, & Mahan, ; Finlay‐Jones, Rees, & Kane, ; Kemper, Mo, & Khayat, ; Beaumont, Durkin, Hollis Martin, & Carson, ; Duarte, Pinto‐Gouveia, & Cruz, ; Durkin, Beaumont, Hollins Martin, & Carson, ; Montero‐Martin et al., ) reported on self‐compassion utilising a healthcare provider sample (Table ). Among these, eight studies investigated the role of self‐compassion on work‐related stress among healthcare providers (Crarey, ; Finlay‐Jones et al., ; Kemper et al., ; Olson et al., ; Beaumont et al., ; Duarte et al., ; Durkin et al., ; Montero‐Martin et al., ), and three studies reported on the positive impact of mindfulness and self‐compassion on healthcare provider resilience (Olson & Kemper, ; Olson et al., ; Kemper et al., ). Resilience, the process of coping with or overcoming exposure to adversity (Egeland, Carlson, & Sroufe, ), is considered a salient mitigator of burnout in healthcare providers (Weidlich & Ugarriza, ).…”

The effects of Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) on health‐care workers

“…Previous research suggests that LKM is linked to increased mindfulness and self‐compassion (Galante, Galante, Bekkers, & Gallacher, ). In addition, mindfulness and self‐compassion scores appear to be negatively correlated to burnout (Barnard & Curry, ; Luken & Sammons, ; Montero‐Marin et al, , ). Given these findings, burnout resilience was operationalised as increased scores on mindfulness and self‐compassion outcomes.…”

Improving Communication between Physicians and Their Patients through Mindfulness and Compassion-Based Strategies: A Narrative Review

“…Previous research has widely described the relationship between stress, burnout, the absence of self-compassion, and compassion fatigue (CF) among health professionals [7,8,9,10]. Studies from the United States and different countries in Europe report a prevalence of burnout from 27% up to 45% among practicing physicians, depending on the specialty, and especially note the prevalence of emotional exhaustion [3,4,11,12].…”