Analysis of potential factors conditioning burnout rates in Polish female physiotherapists and nurses

Aim of the study Comparison of burnout rates and analysis of potential factors conditioning them in women representing selected medical professions. Subject or material and methods The research covered 343 women (165 physiotherapists and 178 nurses) aged 20-60 in working age, employed in randomly selected health care facilities in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland. The research tool of choice was a Maslach Burnout Inventory. The analysis was carried out using the Pearson Chi-square test, Mann Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation. Results There were statistically significant intergroup differences in the values of rates: DP (p<0.001) and OB (p=0.010). Statistically significant associations of age with the EE rate (physiotherapist: R=0.41; p<0.001 and nurses: R=0.29; p<0.001) were noted for both groups. In physiotherapists, age also positively correlated with the DP rate (R=0.16; p=0.035). For both groups, there were statistically significant positive associations of work experience with the EE (physiotherapist: R=0.39; p<0.001 and nurses: R=0.30; p<0.001) and the OB (physiotherapist: R=0.27; p=0.001 and nurses: R=0.18; p=0.019) rates. Discussion Both physiotherapists and nurses have a syndrome of occupational burnout, and the intergroup differences shown may be due to the different characteristics of work. Conclusions Physiotherapists especially need support from employers in implementing measures aimed at cooperation with a psychologist, relaxation training and other ways of lowering stress, as well as exercising interpersonal skills, and resolving and preventing the aggravation of current difficulties, and, when necessary, modifying the scope of professional duties. Healthcare workers should observe their own well-being and pick up non-peaceful symptoms of burnout.