IADR Abstract Archives
BURNOUT AMONG PUBLIC ORAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN GAUTENG PROVINCE
Objectives: To determine the level and factors associated with burnout among the oral health workers.
Methods: This cross sectional study comprised of 196 oral health workers in three districts in Gauteng comprising of Dentists, Dental Therapists, Oral Hygienists and Dental Assistants. A 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the three subscales of burnout i.e. (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Personal accomplishment).
Results: The response rate was 64 % and the mean age of the respondents was 43 SD 13.71 .The majority were females (68%) and predominantly dental assistants (72%).The overall level of burnout was moderate with high level of emotional exhaustion. Twenty percent of the sample indicated at high risk of burnout in both the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation subscales. Patient overload and staff shortages were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. Those who reported staff shortage as the source of stress were twice as likely to score high on emotional exhaustion compared to those who did not (OR=1.7:1.28-2.25).
Conclusions: Although the overall burnout level among the oral health workers was moderate, a proportion of the oral health workers are affected by high emotional exhaustion and high degree of burnout. Patient work load and staff shortages were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion.
Methods: This cross sectional study comprised of 196 oral health workers in three districts in Gauteng comprising of Dentists, Dental Therapists, Oral Hygienists and Dental Assistants. A 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the three subscales of burnout i.e. (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization and Personal accomplishment).
Results: The response rate was 64 % and the mean age of the respondents was 43 SD 13.71 .The majority were females (68%) and predominantly dental assistants (72%).The overall level of burnout was moderate with high level of emotional exhaustion. Twenty percent of the sample indicated at high risk of burnout in both the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation subscales. Patient overload and staff shortages were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. Those who reported staff shortage as the source of stress were twice as likely to score high on emotional exhaustion compared to those who did not (OR=1.7:1.28-2.25).
Conclusions: Although the overall burnout level among the oral health workers was moderate, a proportion of the oral health workers are affected by high emotional exhaustion and high degree of burnout. Patient work load and staff shortages were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion.