Problem description and objective: Everyday´s stress pushes people more and more to their limits. The consequence is an intrinsic and physical fatigue of those affected. The presented work scrutinises currents studies with regards to the danger of getting sick with a burnout, as well as alternative therapies and interventions, which can help reducing the risk of a burnout.
Method: An investigation of the data bases PubMed, Gerolit and DIMDI was performed from February 2010 to June 2010. Inquiries by hand were done in the libraries of the University of Vienna and the medical hospital of the general hospital of the city of Vienna.
Results: Time pressure, lack of support from colleagues and superior, a work pace too high and night shifts are the main indicators for care attendants feeling exhausted and consequently not capable any more. Teachers are also especially susceptible to get sick with burnout, as dealing with problem students, classes with too many students, lack of appreciation and demanding expectations from parents make some pedagogues feeling spent after one year in their job, thinking about a job change. There are several therapies which can be used to reduce the risk of a burnout. Most of all, relaxation techniques like autogenous training or progressive muscle relaxation have proven themselves to be especially successful.
Conclusion: Reduced working hours, more support from colleagues and the inclusion of relaxation exercise into the daily routine can help to prevent burnout, or reduce symptoms of a burnout already present.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Methodology
2.1 Question
2.2 Literature research
3 Results
3.1 The probability to get sick with burnout
3.2 Proofs of effectiveness of possible therapies for the reduction of the burnout risk
3.3 Summary of the results
4 Discussion with limitation
5 Outlook for the practice
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the prevalence and impact of burnout syndrome within the nursing and teaching professions, identifying primary stressors such as high workloads, time pressure, and lack of support. Furthermore, it evaluates the efficacy of various alternative therapies and interventions aimed at mitigating burnout risk and improving the professional well-being of those affected.
- Analysis of burnout development and symptomatology.
- Identification of workplace-specific stressors in nursing and teaching.
- Evaluation of therapeutic interventions like aroma therapy and relaxation techniques.
- Exploration of leadership influence on staff burnout manifestation.
- Strategies for burnout prevention and work-life balance.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 The endangerment of the nursing personnel
In the longitudinal study of Aries and Ritter (1999) with the title Pflegende mit und ohne Burnout (English translation: nursing people with and without burnout), a combination of two methods was chosen. First a written interrogation done twice, and second a qualitative investigation in form of interviews. The written interrogation was done with an interval of six months. The goal of the qualitative advanced study was to investigate the phenomenon burnout with open questions and thus stronger related to the subject. With the quantitative investigation, mainly demographic data were to be collected. The study comprised 523 nursing persons. 90% were female, 10% male. The analysis of the quantitative data was done with SPSS, the qualitative interviews were subjected to a content analysis according to Mayring. This investigation showed that nursing staff with burnout, compared to nursing staff without burnout, feel more overcharged by the pressure of time and responsibility, have a lesser scope of action and suffer more from lacking feedback. In addition, nursing personnel with burnout feel stronger that they are controlled, in comparison to colleagues without burnout symptoms. The physician-nurse relation and the relationship of nurse in the team are worse in the burnout group than in persons showing no burnout symptoms. The biggest dissatisfaction was apparent in the burnout group with regards to salary and work hours. Another aspect is that nursing personnel without burnout named as many positive as well as negative aspects with regards to their work place. In the burnout group, however, the negative aspects very strongly prevailed. All nursing persons of the burnout reported in addition about regular thoughts to leave the profession, because they could not handle the work conditions and, most of all, the time pressure as well as the lack of support from the team any more.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Introduces the definition and historical context of burnout as a psychological and physical exhaustion syndrome affecting helping professions.
2 Methodology: Describes the systematic literature review approach used to identify and evaluate relevant studies on burnout among nurses and teachers.
3 Results: Details findings from various studies regarding the prevalence of burnout in nursing and teaching, as well as the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
4 Discussion with limitation: Discusses key stressors like time pressure and leadership quality and notes limitations regarding language and study publication dates.
5 Outlook for the practice: Suggests practical prevention strategies, including reduced workloads, improved leadership, and the integration of relaxation techniques into daily routines.
Keywords
burnout, nursing, teachers, stress, exhaustion, therapies, interventions, prevention, work-life balance, leadership, mental health, emotional exhaustion, psychological well-being, systematic review, occupational stress
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work focuses on the burnout syndrome, specifically investigating how it affects nursing personnel and teachers, and evaluates potential interventions to reduce this risk.
Which professional groups are analyzed?
The study specifically centers on nursing personnel and teachers, as these social and helping professions are identified as being at high risk for burnout due to intensive interpersonal demands.
What is the central research question?
The research asks to what extent nurses and teachers are endangered by burnout and whether specific therapies or interventions can effectively reduce this risk.
Which methodology was applied?
The author conducted a systematic literature review, analyzing 13 relevant studies identified through databases like PubMed, Gerolit, and DIMDI between February and June 2010.
What are the main topics covered in the main section?
The main section covers the psychological symptoms of burnout, evidence regarding the endangerment of nurses and teachers, and the effectiveness of therapies such as aroma therapy and progressive muscle relaxation.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include burnout, nursing, teachers, stress, interventions, prevention, and occupational health.
How does the leadership style influence burnout in nursing?
The research highlights that transformational leadership significantly lowers emotional exhaustion, whereas a laissez-faire leadership style is associated with higher levels of burnout among staff.
What role do relaxation techniques play in burnout reduction?
Techniques like autogenic training and progressive muscle relaxation are shown to help staff recuperate, dissolve psychic tension, and improve their ability to cope with daily stressors.
Why do teachers face such high burnout rates?
Teachers face unique challenges, including large class sizes, demanding parents, a lack of professional appreciation, and difficulty separating school-related thoughts from their private time.
- Quote paper
- BScN Dietmar Schmidt (Author), 2011, Burnout in the nursing profession - a danger (not) to be taken seriously?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/173455
