Burnout and compassion fatigue among Exercise Physiologists in mental healthcare

O Lederman; A G Cashin; H Fibbins; J Gaston; S Rosenbaum; R Stanton

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqaa177

Burnout and compassion fatigue among Exercise Physiologists in mental healthcare

Occup Med (Lond). 2020 Dec 30;70(9):633-640. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa177.

Authors

O Lederman^{1

2}, A G Cashin^{3

4}, H Fibbins^{1

5}, J Gaston⁶, S Rosenbaum^{5

7}, R Stanton^{8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Keeping the Body in Mind, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
² School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
³ Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Prince of Wales Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia.
⁹ Cluster for Resilience and Wellbeing, Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, Australia.

PMID: 33135069
DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqaa177

Abstract

Background: Burnout and compassion fatigue (CF) are common among mental health practitioners. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) provide clinical services to individuals experiencing mental illness, increasing their likelihood of experiencing burnout and CF.

Aims: To examine the prevalence of burnout and CF among AEPs working with people experiencing mental illness.

Methods: An anonymous online cross-sectional survey of AEPs working with people experiencing mental illness was distributed via the Exercise and Sports Science Australia Mental Health Special Interest Group Facebook page between July and November 2019. In addition to demographics and caseload data, respondents completed the Professional Quality of Life scale and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). Results are reported using descriptive statistics.

Results: Sixty-two AEPs (68%, n = 42 female) completed the survey. Most (n = 53, 86%) reported delivering services to consumers with severe mental health conditions. Less than half (n = 27, 44%) reported working in a dedicated mental health facility. Moderate levels of burnout and CF were experienced by 60% and 30% of respondents, respectively.

Conclusions: The prevalence of moderate burnout and CF symptoms in AEPs is comparable with other mental health professionals. Strategies to preserve psychological well-being such as enhancing mental health training for undergraduates and formalized supervision structures discussed.

Keywords: Burnout; compassion fatigue; exercise physiologist; mental health; mental illness.

MeSH terms

Australia
Burnout, Professional*
Compassion Fatigue*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Empathy
Female
Health Facilities
Humans
Mental Health Services*
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires