Incidence and Cause of Occupational Burnout Syndrome Among Sonographers

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the level of occupational burnout syndrome in a cohort of sonographers and to determine any associations between sex, number of hours worked per week, and burnout. Materials and Methods: This study used a cross-sectional approach that replicated the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and surveyed a convenience sample of sonographers who are members of the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Results: The study survey offered the total scores of occupational burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion, with a potential minimum score of 16 and a maximum score of 64. The results yielded a minimum score of 17 and a maximum score of 64. The mean score was 43.11 (SD = 7.02), indicating a moderate level of burnout. Conclusion: This cohort of sonographers demonstrated moderate levels of burnout, so it is important to acknowledge that preventing occupational burnout is necessary to ensure that workplace stress is managed to avoid significant issues. Further research is needed to assess how occupational burnout syndrome affects retention in the profession.

Occupational Burnout in Sonography Research and Workplaces: What Is It, How Do We Measure It, and How Do We Address It?

“…Decades of research has indicated that sonographers are at high risk for injury, illness, and occupational burnout, and the current figures are no less startling than those describing the overall health care workforce. Recent studies of sonographers have indicated that most sonographers experience moderate-to-high levels of occupational burnout, 11 -13 as well as a nearly 90% prevalence of factors related to occupational burnout including work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) over the past year 14 and instances of sexual harassment over the past 2 years. 15 A recent systematic review of studies over the past two decades also highlighted the relationship of high workloads and the burden of adverse interactions in patient encounters with occupational burnout.…”