FAST FACT AND CONCEPT #170: Health Professional Burnout: Part IV

Author: Linda Blust , MD

Parts I-III have described burnout, its risk factors and consequences, and coping strategies. This Fast Fact will briefly describe assessment tools used in health professional research. Additionally, it provides a validated screening tool utilized widely in education.

1. Maslach Burnout Inventory(CPP, Inc)
   • Designed for use in health care and other service industries.
   • Evaluates emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.
   • Well-validated; readily available; utilized by Physician Worklife Study.
   • 10-15 minutes to complete.
   • Cost: approximately $1.25 per test, with additional fee for scoring key.
     
2. General Health Questionnaire (Bank, et al, 1980).
   • 12-item screen for symptoms of psychiatric morbidity
   • Reliable in community and occupational settings
   • Utilized in conjunction with Maslach Burnout Inventory in ongoing, longitudinal UK study of burnout and psychiatric morbidity in hospital consultants
     
3. Self Assessment Exercise(Girdin, 1996)

   How often do you . . .

   a) almost always; b) often; c) seldom; d) almost never

   • f ind yourself with insufficient time to do things you really enjoy?
   • with you had more support/assistance?
   • lack sufficient time to complete your work most effectively?
   • have difficulty falling asleep because you have too much on your mind?
   • feel people simply expect too much of you?
   • feel overwhelmed?
   • find yourself becoming forgetful or indecisive because you have too much on your mind?
   • consider yourself in a high pressure situation?
   • feel you have too much responsibility for one person?
   • feel exhausted at the end of the day?

Calculate your total score: a) = 4, b) = 3, c) = 2, d) = 1. Your total? _____

A total of 25-40 indicates a high stress level that could be psychologically or physically debilitating.

References

1. Bank M, et al. The use of the general health questionnaire as an indicator of mental health in occupational settings. Journal of Occupational Psychology 1980; 53: 187-194.
2. CPP, Inc; Maslach Burnout Survey; http://www.cpp.com/detail/detailprod.asp?pc=35
3. Girdin DA, Everly, GS, Dusek DE. Controlling Stress and Tension, Allyn & Bacon, Needham Heights, MA, 1996.
4. Maslach C. Burnout: The Cost of Caring. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1982.
5. Ramirez AJ, et al. Mental Health of hospital consultants: the effects of stress and satisfaction at work. Lancet 1996; 347: 724-728.
6. Ramirez AJ, et al. Changes in mental health of UK hospital consultants since the mid-1990s. Lancet 2005; 366: 742-744.

Fast Facts were edited by David Weissman MD, Palliative Care Center, Medical College of Wisconsin until January 2007.  For comments/questions write to the current editor, Drew Rosielle MD: drosiell@mcw.edu. The complete set of Fast Facts is available at EPERC: www.eperc.mcw.edu

Copyright/Referencing Information: Users are free to download and distribute Fast Facts for educational purposes only. Fast Fact and Concept #170. Health Professional Burnout Part IV. November 2007. End-of-Life / Palliative Education Resource Center www.eperc.mcw.edu.

Disclaimer: Fast Facts provide educational information. This information is not medical advice. Health care providers should exercise their own independent clinical judgment. Some Fast Fact information cites the use of a product in dosage, for an indication, or in a manner other than that recommended in the product labeling. Accordingly, the official prescribing information should be consulted before any such product is used.

Purpose: Self-Study Guide, Teaching

Audience(s)

ACGME Competencies: Professionalism

Keyword(s): psychosocial and spiritual experience