Experiences of burnout and coping strategies utilized by occupational therapists.
BACKGROUND
Work-related stress and burnout have been found to lead to job dissatisfaction, low-organizational commitment, absenteeism, and high turnover.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the burnout experiences of occupational therapists practicing in Ontario and to describe the practice implications and coping strategies employed.


METHODS
Data for this mixed methods study were collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, Areas of Worklife Survey, focus groups, and interviews in the hermeneutics tradition.


RESULTS
High levels of emotional exhaustion were reported by 34.8% of participants, high levels of cynicism by 43.5%, and low professional efficacy by 24.6%. Practice issues included excessive demands on time, conflict, and lack of autonomy and respect. Coping strategies included spending time with family and maintaining professional/personal balance, control of work responsibilities, maintaining a sense of humor, and self-awareness/self-monitoring.


CONCLUSIONS
This study contributes to understanding the practice challenges for occupational therapists, factors that contribute to therapist burnout, and strategies employed to maintain competent practice.
Adult Outpatient Psychiatry, Hotel Dieu Hospital, 166 Brock Street, Kingston, ON, K7L 5G2. guptas@hdh.kari.net
Sangeeta
S
Gupta
Margo L
ML
Paterson
Rosemary M
RM
Lysaght
Claudia M
CM
von Zweck
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D009864:Ontario; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology