Life satisfaction and risk of burnout among men and women working as physiotherapists

Abstract

Objectives: Recently in Poland as a result of the high rate of aging population and high rates of morbidity, a growing demand for the physiotherapist profession is observed. The results of this study can be used to formulate principles for better organization of physiotherapist's workplace in order to prevent occurrence of burnout. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of gender on satisfaction with life and burnout among active physiotherapists. Material and Methods: The survey was anonymous and voluntary, and involved a group of 200 active physiotherapists working in health care units and educational centers in Poland. The study group was selected randomly and incidentally. Each respondent received a demographic data sheet and a set of self-rating questionnaires (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Burnout Scale Inventory). Results: Burnout among men decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one's work and occupation, friends, relatives and acquaintances, sexuality, and increased due to greater satisfaction with one's housing status. Burnout among women decreased along with increasing satisfaction with one's health, free time and friends, relatives and acquaintances, and increased due to work at a setting other than a health care unit or educational center. Statistical analysis failed to reveal any significant differences with regard to the BSI domains and with regard to the overall burnout index as well as with regard to the assessment of satisfaction with life between female and male physiotherapists. Conclusions: Satisfaction with children, marriage and partnership, with one's work and occupation, interactions with friends, relatives and acquaintances and sexuality may contribute to reduction of burnout among men. Women who are satisfied with their children, family, health, free time and contacts with friends, relatives and acquaintances are less prone to burnout. Weak financial situation among women and deficiency of free time among men can induce burnout. Improving staff happiness may contribute to decreasing burnout.

Burnout syndrome in health-care professionals in a university hospital

“…Since the majority of nurses are female, this could be a decisive element in explaining these findings 27,28. In women, BO has also been associated with marital status, number of years in practice, sleep deprivation, back pain and negative effects in family life 29,30,31.…”

Medical studies, team roles and emotional intelligence

“…Social support connected with teamwork would also be crucial in the medical profession. Single individuals, when compared to those in relationships, tend to be more emotionally drained [9,10]. research results indicate that the workload, coupled with lack of support from co-workers, serves as a very forceful and independent variable of professional burnout [11,12].…”

Can chronotype and social jet lag predict burnout among physical therapists?

“…A high SJL score may result from staying up late due to socialising: such time spent with social support, i.e. friends and other acquaintances, is considered a protective factor against burnout (Wittmann et al 2006;Śliwiński et al 2014;Woodhead et al 2014;Hyman et al 2017). However, this relationship requires further investigations, which should also encompass the negative effect of SJL on cardiometabolic profile (Rutters et al 2014).…”