International survey responses from an interdisciplinary cohort of spinal cord injury clinicians assessing professional burnout and meaning in work

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2019 · DOI: 10.1038/s41394-019-0200-1 · Published: May 12, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Healthcare Mental Health

Simple Explanation

The study investigates burnout among professionals who treat individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). These clinicians are exposed to secondary traumatic stress and support patients facing challenging circumstances, which can increase their risk of burnout. The research aims to understand the prevalence of burnout symptoms and the characteristics of meaning in work among SCI clinicians and researchers. The study uses an online survey to collect data. The study found that exhaustion is a common issue, with many respondents also reporting feeling burned out or experiencing work-life imbalance. However, many also found support in personal relationships and used coping strategies such as exercise and meditation.

Study Duration

September 2017 through January 2018

Participants

244 international spinal cord injury professionals

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
A majority of respondents reported feeling exhaustion (60.1%), while fewer reported feelings of burnout (41.1%) or work-life imbalance (31.9%).
2
Respondents reported high meaningfulness of work, positive impact from colleagues, and satisfaction with intellectual stimulation at work.
3
Respondents who felt burned out were more likely to report feeling dissatisfied with aspects of their personal lives, such as marriage, relationships, sleep, health, and financial situations.

Research Summary

This study evaluated symptoms of burnout and perceptions of meaning in work in an international cohort of SCI clinicians. The study found that while exhaustion is prevalent among SCI professionals, many still reported high meaningfulness of their work and satisfaction with their work environment. Future research should explore the causes of exhaustion and burnout among SCI professionals to develop strategies to support and strengthen the workforce.

Practical Implications

Organizational Support

Healthcare organizations should implement strategies to support SCI clinicians and reduce burnout, focusing on factors like administrative burden and work-life balance.

Further Research

Future research should focus on identifying the causes of burnout and protective factors for SCI professionals, considering the unique challenges they face.

Personal Coping Strategies

SCI professionals should adopt personal coping strategies, such as exercise and meditation, to manage work-related stress and prevent burnout.

Study Limitations

1
The study utilizes a cross-sectional design, which cannot determine causality between burnout and other factors.
2
Relatively small sample size.
3
Reliance on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias.

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