Smart device use and burnout among health science educators.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the perceived level of stress and burnout among health science educators related to smart device use.


METHODS
An interdisciplinary health science research team was created to perform a literature review and design a survey and assessment instrument to investigate the level of stress and burnout among health science educators as a result of excessive connectivity to the workplace through smart device use. A total of 977 assessments were completed through distribution by program directors in athletic training, nursing, radiologic sciences, and respiratory care.


RESULTS
Participants in the study, who represented program directors and educators in the allied health sciences, reported 70% of their smart device use taking place between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm, followed by 30% between 6 pm and 12 am. Slightly more than 60% of participants reported feeling connected to the workplace at all hours of the day. Emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment scores for participants were stronger than the norm as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory.


CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be a strong feeling of connectedness to the workplace caused by the use of smart devices (60.7%). Some surveyed educators appear to manage their smart device use better than others because 55% of participants indicated they sometimes ignore work-related items after hours. Although several participants demonstrated physical signs of stress and burnout, a causal relationship between use of smart devices or work connectedness could not be established.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study, the null hypothesis was rejected. Significant levels of emotional exhaustion were seen in a subset of study participants. Our findings indicate that emotional exhaustion occurs when healthy boundaries are not maintained for smart device use for work purposes after hours.
Jeffrey B
JB
Killion
James Neal
JN
Johnston
Jennifer
J
Gresham
Martha
M
Gipson
Beth L
BL
Vealé
Phyllis I
PI
Behrens
Benito
B
Velasquez
Lauren
L
Jansen
Laura
L
Woods-Fidelie
Daria M
DM
Close
D000328:Adult; D016390:Allied Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States