Validation of a Single-Item Screening Measure of Burnout in a Sample of Spanish Health Workers

Abstract

Burnout is a significant problem faced by professionals in the healthcare setting, and yet there is a lack of validated screening tools in the Spanish context. The present study examined the psychometric properties of a single-item measure of burnout (SIB) within a sample of 675 health professionals working at five centres in Spain, with the brief burnout questionnaire (BBQ) providing the main comparison measure. Predictive validity was acceptable, with high positive correlations between SIB, overall BBQ and the three BBQ dimensions. Construct validity, examined using confirmatory factor analysis, found that the SIB sufficiently covered the components of the three factors of burnout described by the BBQ and the components of the three dimensions of the burnout syndrome factor. Convergent validity was confirmed through significant negative correlations between SIB and good perceived health and job satisfaction. Acceptable cut-points were established. The Spanish-language SIB provides an acceptable and sensitive screening measure of burnout for use with health professionals.