Risk factor and symptoms of burnout in physiotherapists in the canton of Bern.
Slavko Rogan, Yanni Verhavert, Evert Zinzen and 3 others
PMID 31890293WHAT IT FOUND
Three Bern physiotherapists who had burnout described emotional fatigue, withdrawal, depersonalization, reduced performance, high self-expectation, and perfectionism as symptoms or risk factors; two described work with chronically ill patients as a risk factor.
Key findings
01All three interviewed physiotherapists described emotional fatigue, emotional liability, need for withdrawal, decreased personal performance, and depersonalization.
02Two interviewed physiotherapists described insomnia, tension, and concentration problems.
03All three interviewed physiotherapists described high self-expectation and perfectionism as important risk factors, and two described work with chronically sick patients as a risk factor.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only three physiotherapists were interviewed, so the findings are preliminary and cannot be transferred to wider physiotherapy. One interview included the participant's spouse, who answered some questions, which could have changed what was said. The paper says these factors may signal a health risk but do not necessarily lead to disease. Only three of the six eligible respondents agreed to be interviewed.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that perfectionism or work with chronically ill patients causes burnout. The study interviewed only three physiotherapists and reports what they said, not a proof of cause.