Burnout in emergency department healthcare professionals is associated with coping style: a cross-sectional survey. Issue 9 (20th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howlett, M; Doody, K; Murray, J; LeBlanc-Duchin, D; Fraser, J; Atkinson, PR
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 32:Issue 9(2015)
• Page Start: 722
• Page End: 727
• Publication Date: 2015-01-20
• Subjects: emergency department -- psychology, staff support -- research, operational; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Ineffective coping may lead to impaired job performance and burnout, with adverse consequences to staff well-being and patient outcomes. We examined the relationship between coping styles and burnout in emergency physicians, nurses and support staff at seven small, medium and large emergency departments (ED) in a Canadian health region (population 500 000). Methods: Linear regression with the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used to evaluate the effect of coping style on levels of burnout in a cross-sectional survey of 616 ED staff members. CISS measures coping style in three categories: task-oriented, emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping; MBI, in use for 30 years, assesses the level of burnout in healthcare workers. Results: Task-oriented coping was associated with decreased risk of burnout, while emotion-oriented coping was associated with increased risk of burnout. Discussion: Specific coping styles are associated with varied risk of burnout in ED staff across several different types of hospitals in a regional network. Coping style intervention may reduce burnout, while leading to improvement in staff well-being and patient outcomes. Further studies should focus on building and sustaining task-oriented coping, along with alternatives to emotion-oriented coping.