Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among Physical Therapists of an Academic Private Institute of Lahore

Background: Due to the exhaustive working climate and chronic stressful conditions, academic physical therapists are highly prone to emotional strain and work-related stress that ultimately leads them towards burnout syndrome. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among academic physical therapists of private institutes that delineate the causative agents that contribute to developing this threat among academic physical therapists. Methodology: The study design used in this study was a descriptive cross-sectional design, completed in six months. It is a multicentered study that included Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences, Fatima Memorial College, Rashid Latif Medical College, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, and Shalamar Medical and Dental College. Permission from the Ethical Committee of the Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences was obtained. Non-probability convenient sampling was taken into consideration for recruiting a sample of 71. The private institutes that were educating the Doctor of Physical Therapy program affiliated with the University of Health Sciences were included in this study. Maslach Burnout Inventory scale was used to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome. Prior consent from all the academic physical therapists was drawn. The study variables were presented in the form of descriptive statistics (tables, graphs, and percentages). The questionnaire was accompanied by an informational sheet that explained the nature and purpose of the study and explained that consent was taken from every therapist. The respondents were assured that their responses would remain confidential. Results: A total of 49 academic physical therapists were approached, and all of them responded. The overall prevalence of burnout was 22.4%, with depersonalization and personal accomplishment at 71.4% and 95.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of burnout among academic physical therapists of private institutes that are affiliated with UHS was 22.4% with a high level of depersonalization and a low level of personal accomplishment. Therefore, our study suggests that these private institutes should take pragmatic measures to cope with stressful conditions for the physical and mental well-being of academic physical therapists and to improve their working efficiencies.