PREVALENCE OF BURNOUT SYNDROME AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN GUJRANWALA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Burnout syndrome is a psychological condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, resulting from prolonged work-related stress. Healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, are at high risk due to the demanding nature of patient care. Burnout negatively impacts job performance, patient outcomes, and overall well-being. Despite extensive research on burnout in doctors and nurses, limited data exist on physiotherapists. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of burnout among physiotherapists, contributing to the understanding of occupational stress in this profession.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of burnout among physiotherapists and analyze its association with demographic and professional factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 physiotherapists in Gujranwala, selected using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were collected from 90 public and private healthcare facilities over six months. The Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-12) was used to assess burnout, while demographic and work-related data were gathered through structured questionnaires. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 25.0 to identify associations between burnout and variables such as age, gender, work experience, and weekly working hours. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Among participants, 76.8% exhibited no burnout, 18.0% had moderate burnout, and 5.2% experienced very high burnout. Burnout was higher among females (65.5%) compared to males (34.5%). A significant positive correlation was found between weekly working hours and burnout (r = 0.42, p < 0.01) and years of experience and burnout (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that weekly working hours (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of burnout.

Conclusion: Physiotherapists in this study exhibited low to moderate burnout levels, with workload and professional experience being significant contributing factors. Workplace interventions focusing on manageable workloads and mental well-being are crucial to mitigating burnout risk.