By the Numbers - Nov. 30, 2015
21%
The percentage of a sample of 488 mental health providers working with military populations who "reported elevated levels of burnout," according to a study published online before print in the journal Psychiatric Services -- Prevalence of Professional Burnout Among Military Mental Health Service Providers.
High job satisfaction was reported by 67% of mental health service providers, with only 10% of the total sample endorsing low levels; however, among those reporting burnout, a higher proportion endorsed low job satisfaction (25%).
Survey participants were recruited via an email invitation to about 2,300 "active-duty, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian, or contract-based Army mental health care service providers." The authors indicate that the relatively small sample size of those who agreed to participate may be the reason the "self-reported burnout" rate is slightly smaller than that in previously published studies. Also, the researchers used a simple one-item screen in this study. Nevertheless...
Because of the potential negative outcomes associated with burnout, study results suggest that the DoD take precautionary steps to address job-related issues before they result in reduced effectiveness of military mental health service providers. It would be prudent to monitor clinicians’ caseloads and try to keep provider hours worked per week below 45, keeping in mind the statistical tipping point for burnout of 44–45 hours per week. In addition, clinic administrators and supervisors should also be aware that female clinicians and clinicians with greater lengths of service for treating military populations have increased likelihood of experiencing burnout. Management should also periodically assess provider attitudes (either formally or informally) and be proactive in providing additional resources and support. In addition, interventions to prevent and reduce burnout should be developed and validated and provided to military mental health service providers.
CDP offers a online course -- Provider Resiliency and Self-Care: An Ethical Issue -- that may be taken for free or, if you want CE credit, for $30.
21%
The percentage of a sample of 488 mental health providers working with military populations who "reported elevated levels of burnout," according to a study published online before print in the journal Psychiatric Services -- Prevalence of Professional Burnout Among Military Mental Health Service Providers.
High job satisfaction was reported by 67% of mental health service providers, with only 10% of the total sample endorsing low levels; however, among those reporting burnout, a higher proportion endorsed low job satisfaction (25%).
Survey participants were recruited via an email invitation to about 2,300 "active-duty, Department of Defense (DoD) civilian, or contract-based Army mental health care service providers." The authors indicate that the relatively small sample size of those who agreed to participate may be the reason the "self-reported burnout" rate is slightly smaller than that in previously published studies. Also, the researchers used a simple one-item screen in this study. Nevertheless...
Because of the potential negative outcomes associated with burnout, study results suggest that the DoD take precautionary steps to address job-related issues before they result in reduced effectiveness of military mental health service providers. It would be prudent to monitor clinicians’ caseloads and try to keep provider hours worked per week below 45, keeping in mind the statistical tipping point for burnout of 44–45 hours per week. In addition, clinic administrators and supervisors should also be aware that female clinicians and clinicians with greater lengths of service for treating military populations have increased likelihood of experiencing burnout. Management should also periodically assess provider attitudes (either formally or informally) and be proactive in providing additional resources and support. In addition, interventions to prevent and reduce burnout should be developed and validated and provided to military mental health service providers.
CDP offers a online course -- Provider Resiliency and Self-Care: An Ethical Issue -- that may be taken for free or, if you want CE credit, for $30.