Prevalence and associated factors of burnout in allied healthcare professionals in a tertiary hospital in Singapore

Abstract

Objective To explore the prevalence of burnout, factors associated with burnout, and barriers to seeking psychological help among allied health professionals in Singapore. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting A tertiary hospital in Singapore. Participants Allied health professionals. Primary outcome measure Burnout measured by using Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS) Results: In total, 328 participants completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of burnout was 67.4%. A majority of the respondents were female (83.9%), Singaporean (73.5%), aged 40 years and below (84.2%), and of Chinese ethnicity (79.9%). In the multiple logistic regression model, burnout was negatively associated with being in the age groups of 31 to 40 (AOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16-0.93) and 40 years (AOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.87) and a low workload burden (AOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.23-0.52). Burnout was positively associated with a longer work experience of 3 to 5 years (AOR 5.27, 95% CI 1.44-20.93) and more than five years (AOR 4.24; 95% CI 1.16-16.79). Among the 190 participants who completed the PBPT, barriers to seeking psychological help shown to be significantly associated with burnout were a lack of motivation and time constraints (p<0.01). Conclusions: This study shows a high prevalence of burnout and identifies its associated factors among Singapore's allied health professionals. The findings revealed the urgency of addressing burnout in allied health professionals and the need for effective interventions to reduce burnout. Concurrently, proper consideration of the barriers to seeking help is warranted to improve allied health professionals' mental wellbeing.

Finding Echoes: An Exploration of Empathy Among Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Students in Singapore

“…The PT could have reflected lower empathy levels due to added workload and stress stemming from either caring for COVID patients, 33 or covering duties for colleagues. Studies in Singapore have shown the adverse effects of increased workloads among allied healthcare workers, manifesting in burnout 34 and the association between empathy and burnout. 23 Studies in Singapore have also reported a high prevalence of burnout among medical residents 23,30 and its association with lower empathy.…”