Affiliation:
1. Centre for Health Psychology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2. Centre for Health Psychology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad. Telangana, India
3. School of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction Burnout has been widely studied among oncology health care providers such as nurses and doctors. However, it is a less explored but highly prevalent factor in family caregivers of patients with cancer.
Objective The study aimed to understand the construct of burnout among health care providers and family caregivers of patients with cancer, through three objectives: (1) to distinguish burnout between health care providers and family caregivers; (2) to predict burnout based on measurable characteristics, namely, perceived stress, psychological morbidity, well-being, problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and avoidant coping; and (3) to find out the levels of burnout (low, medium, and high) in health care providers and family caregivers.
Materials and Methods It is a cross-sectional study conducted among the health care providers and family caregivers of patients with cancer. The measures used in the study were the Professional Quality of Life scale, 12-Item General Health Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, 5-Item World Health Organization Well-Being Index, Brief COPE inventory, and a sociodemographic details form.
Results The study found a statistically significant difference in the mean burnout of health care providers (p = 0.027) and family caregivers. Study variables such as perceived stress and avoidant coping positively predicted burnout, whereas well-being and emotion-focused coping negatively predicted burnout. The study also found that a majority of the participants fell into the category of “medium” level of burnout.
Conclusion While enhancing well-being and employing adaptive coping styles can act as the mitigating factors to burnout, the existence of stress and maladaptive styles of coping can prove counterproductive in dealing with burnout in work environments. This indicates that there is a need for psychosocial interventions to help the medical professionals deal with the burnout.