Exploring Gratitude and Burnout among Obstetric Sonographers

This thesis portfolio is comprised of three parts. Part One is a systematic literature review and Part Two is an empirical paper. Together they provide a greater understanding of the experiences of working as a sonographer in obstetrics. Part Three forms the appendices.Part One: Systematic Literature ReviewA systematic literature review exploring healthcare providers’ experiences of occupational stress and burnout in maternity and neonatal services. Nine qualitative studies were synthesised using thematic synthesis, generating one overarching theme, one analytical theme, and eight subthemes. The review highlighted a range of workplace challenges contributing to burnout, alongside the emotional and professional toll on staff and implications for patient care. Findings emphasise the urgent need for targeted interventions to support healthcare professionals in these high-pressure settings.Part Two: Empirical Research PaperAn empirical paper exploring obstetric sonographers’ experiences and meaning of gratitude through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants. Using reflexive thematic analysis, two overarching themes were constructed as well as two subthemes. The study found that gratitude can reduce stress and positively impact sonographers’, although there were occasions when experiencing gratitude felt elusive. The study highlights the beneficial role of gratitude, but also points to systemic challenges that limit its expression and impact in clinical settings.Part Three: AppendicesAppendices providing supplementary materials for both the systematic literature review and the empirical paper, such as reflective and epistemological statements.