Burnout and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner: Who Is Experiencing Burnout and Why?

IntroductionA sexual assault nurse examiner role exemplifies the high-stress and highly emotional patient interactions that are often associated with burnout. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of burnout among sexual assault nurse examiners in North Carolina.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was an anonymous survey of practicing sexual assault nurse examiners within North Carolina using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and additional demographics. Results were analyzed with odds ratios, confidence intervals, Fisher exact, chi-square, and Kruskal Wallis tests as appropriate.ResultsAmong 95 respondents, burnout was more frequent in sexual assault nurse examiners who stopped both emergency and nurse examiner work (55.6%, odds ratio 4.41, 95% confidence interval 1.07-18.06) and in dual function nurses (both emergency and nurse examiner work, 35.7%, odds ratio 2.71, 95% confidence interval 1.04-7.06). Sexual assault nurse examiners who had a high percentage of pediatric cases (above the median of 40%) were more likely to meet burnout thresholds for emotional exhaustion scores > 26 (48.78% vs 25.93%, χ² = 5.30, P = .02) and more likely to meet burnout thresholds for depersonalization scores > 9 (48.78% vs 24.07%, χ² = 6.28, P = .01).DiscussionHigher frequency of burnout threshold criteria was found in those people who worked concurrently as a sexual assault nurse examiner and an emergency nurse and in those who had retired from both specialties. We also found that sexual assault nurse examiners with a higher case mix of pediatric cases had higher emotional exhaustion scores and higher depersonalization scores.     

Comparison of mindfulness interventions for healthcare professionals: A mixed-methods study

ObjectivesBurnout is increasingly a concerning problem in US Healthcare systems. Although the causes of burnout are not predominantly due to individual factors, mindfulness instruction is an evidence-based approach to counteracting burnout. Our health system initiated a multi-pronged approach to mindfulness instruction for our employees and community. We aimed to assess the impact of these varied programs.MethodsSeveral mindfulness courses of different lengths were employed. Validated survey instruments were administered to participants before and after the courses to assess stress, mindfulness and burnout. Pre-course and post-course results were compared for each intervention. Free-text responses were also captured and analyzed in a qualitative fashion.ResultsParticipants in MBIs demonstrated statistically significant improvement in burnout and perceived stress on post-course survey results. Several mindfulness domains also showed statistically significant improvement (awareness, non-react and observe). There was no difference in the observed results between the mindfulness interventions. Qualitative analysis yielded three themes: seeking help, symptoms, and changes in mindfulness practice.ConclusionsMBIs designed for employees of an academic medical center were associated with positive quantitative and qualitative results. All MBI participants achieved improvement in perceived stress and mindfulness as well as reduction in burnout, regardless of course length.     

Psychological immune competency predicts burnout syndrome among the high-risk healthcare staff: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundBurnout and psychological immune competency have not been investigated together among employees of high-risk specializations such as emergency medicine, intensive care or surgery.AimIn this study we aim to examine the prevalence of burnout among high-risk clinical staff and explore whether the strength of psychological immune competency predict burnout.DesignA cross-sectional design utilizing a self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants (n = 216). Nurses (n = 145) and physicians (n = 71) from emergency medicine, intensive care and surgery departments participated in the study.MethodBurnout syndrome was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, while psychological immune competency was measured using the Psychological Immune Competency Questionnaire. The data collection started in June of 2018 and was finished in March of 2019.ResultsParticipants with higher psychological immune competency reported lower levels of burnout: emotional exhaustion (r = −0.478; p < 0.001), depersonalization (r = −0.459; p < 0.001) and personal accomplishment (r = 0.543; p < 0.001). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis revealed the psychological immune competency to be a stable predictor of burnout on all three scales.ConclusionPsychological immune competency shows a strong relationship with scales of burnout syndrome and as such should be further examined due to development of successful intervention and prevention programs.     

The effect of laughter yoga on perceived stress,burnout, and life satisfaction in nurses during the pandemic: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundA randomized controlled study was conducted on the effects of laughter yoga in reducing the perceived stress and burnout levels in nurses during the pandemic and in increasing their life satisfaction.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted with 101 (51 in the experimental group, and 50 in the control group) nurses providing care for patients with COVID-19. A total of eight sessions of laughter yoga were applied to the nurses in the experimental group for four weeks, twice a week. The Introductory Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Life Satisfaction Scale were used during data collection.ResultsThe difference between the pre- and posttest Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Life Satisfaction Scale score averages of the nurses in the experimental group were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05), whereas the difference between the pre- and posttest score averages of the nurses in the control group was not significant (p > 0.05).ConclusionLaughter yoga is an effective method to reduce perceived stress and burnout while also increasing life satisfaction.Clinicaltrials.gov idNCT05317091.     

Risk the Change or Change the Risk? The Nonlinear Effect of Job Insecurity on Task Performance

Job insecurity has been recognized for its negative effect on employee performance. Nevertheless, this study argues that, under the threat of job insecurity, employees may also be likely to seek to reduce the threat by proactively crafting their tasks and improving performance. Drawing from the perspective of Vroom’s expectancy theory, it is proposed that, only when job security is at moderate level will employees expect it as possible to make such a change to respond to the situation. Accordingly, a curvilinear mediated model is developed that links job insecurity and task performance indirectly through task crafting, and a two-waved time-lagged survey involving 328 employees was conducted to test the model. The results showed that job insecurity had an inverted U-shaped relationship with task crafting and that this relationship was moderated by strengths-based psychological climate, a measure of how employees feel their strengths are appreciated in the organization. In this sense, strengths-based psychological climate can enhance the positive relationship between job insecurity and task crafting. Overall, the finding suggests that job insecurity may not always be detrimental. Thus, there will be significant managerial implications in creating favorable conditions for increased task performance.     

Impact des facteurs psychosociaux sur la santé mentale du personnel de nettoyage

Purpose

To describe the relationship between psychosocial factors and mental health among housekeepers.