Avoidance of BurnoutAvoidance of Burnout

Presentation by: Jessica Stacy, ATSFriday, November 30, 2007

Definition of Burnout Definition of Burnout Hendrix et al Hendrix et al

(2000) (2000)

Burnout is a reaction to chronic stress that involves negative interactions between environmental and personal characteristics.

It has been characterized as a chronic condition that develops when one is working too hard for too long in a high-pressure situation.

It is conceptualized as uncontrollable, negatively perceived events occurring over a period of time that lead to three negative psychological responses: depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of personal accomplishment.

Stages of BurnoutStages of Burnout

Edelwich and Brodsky (1980)

1) Enthusiasm

2) Stagnation (dull, sluggish)

3) Frustration

4) Apathy, Boredom, Resignation

5) Intervention

Stressors in Athletic Stressors in Athletic TrainingTraining Athletic Training Lifestyle (travel, interactions with

athletes/coaches/administration, documentation, etc)

Comparing Job Duties and Roles (vs. peers) Time Demands Social Evaluation (earning respect and credibility) Future Concerns Financial Concerns Personal Health Relationship Concerns Family Pressure Acceptance Recognition Providing Quality Healthcare Personality Conflicts

Burnout in Athletic Training Burnout in Athletic Training Students Students Stilger et al (2001)Stilger et al (2001)

Burnout In This Class!Burnout In This Class!An email including the definition of burnout was sent to 39 students in this class via WebCT, asking a yes or no question as to if he/she felt that he/she was experiencing burnout. A short explanation was asked for but not required. 16 people responded. Here are the results:

Excerpts from “Yes” Responses:

- I have been dealing with a lot of personal and family issues on top of dealing with school - the weekly competencies become a drag every now and then, the multiple unpaid internship hours that we put in are grueling, and the constant drilling and memorization of all the educational material related to athletic training becomes exhausting- I feel useless being at my site because there's so much I'm incapable of doing, whether it be from lack of knowledge or the ACI doing everything that needs to be done.- I do feel burnout as an ATS because I also work.- I just want to be just like all the other college students. - We are expected to take 4 core classes to meet the requirements of our program, along with midterms, presentations, essays, etc., all at the same time.

Excerpts from “No” Responses:

- I am finding time for myself to make sure that stress doesn't build.- I'm still [wondered/amazed]…about athletic training in general. But I do see myself in the future getting burned out after ...maybe about 15-20 years in the profession.- I have my friends and colleagues around me for support and help.- In the end the journey toward the goal makes the process all worthwhile.

Females Males Total

Yes 6 6 12

No 1 3 4

Burnout in Graduate Burnout in Graduate AssistantsAssistants Reed and Giacobbi Jr (2004)Reed and Giacobbi Jr (2004)

Unique Stressors: responsibilities as a graduate student, lack of experience or confidence in meeting the demands of the profession, being labeled a “graduate student”, ACI demands

Coping Strategies: learn effective study-skills and time management, delegate to ATS, seek advice from a veteran ATC

In a study by Reed and Giacobbi Jr (2004), 2 of the 6 participants decided to leave the athletic training profession entirely

Burnout in Certified Athletic Burnout in Certified Athletic TrainersTrainersHendrix et al (2000)Hendrix et al (2000)

Unique Stressors: obtaining CEUs, dual role responsibilities, professional relationships and constant communication with medical staff, delegating roles to GAs and ATS, leadership, ACI demands

Coping Strategies: effectively delegate roles to GAs and ATS, utilize effective time management, effective communication skills

Findings on Burnout in Athletic Findings on Burnout in Athletic TrainingTrainingHendrix et al (2000) Stilger et al (2001) Moody and Kahanov Hendrix et al (2000) Stilger et al (2001) Moody and Kahanov

The rate of burnout among ATs was relatively low when compared with that of other allied health care professionals. Approximately 40% of all ATs surveyed suffer from stress and burnout.

Athletic trainers tend to score higher on the hardiness scale than coaches and lower on perceived stress than coaches and coach-teachers.

Athletic trainers tend to view problems as challenging rather than threatening.

Personal accomplishment for ATs appeared to score slightly higher than other professions, demonstrating a relatively high sense of accomplishment in their work.

More social support, limited AT issues, and higher levels of hardiness was associated with lower levels of perceived stress.

Emotional exhaustion has been reported to be higher in older individuals and in females.

Depersonalization appeared to have a higher score amongst ATs – perhaps due to quantity of athletes, number of hours, and professional relationships.

How to Avoid BurnoutHow to Avoid Burnout Know yourself and your limitations.

Identify/realize your stressors.

Try to have hardiness in your personality (control, commitment, and challenge). Levels of hardiness can be increased with goal-setting strategies.

Adapt/adjust to job responsibilities.

Try to have a positive outlook.

Get enough sleep and rest.

Take some time off.

Exercise regularly and eat healthy.

How to Avoid Burnout IIHow to Avoid Burnout IIHave a support system in place.

Use friends and support to vent if needed.

Approach colleagues and veteran athletic trainers for advice or just to talk to someone who will understand the situation.

If you are religious, take comfort in your beliefs and religions.

How to Avoid Burnout IIIHow to Avoid Burnout IIIKnow some stress-management

strategies.

Try not to procrastinate on getting work done.

Practice Proper Planning: schedule, time management, organization, delegation.

Participate in activities outside of athletic training.

The EndThe End

ResourcesResources Hendrix, A.E., Acevedo, E.O., & Hebert, E. An

examination of stress and burnout in certified athletic trainers at division I-A universities. Journal of Athletic Training 2000;35(2):139-144.

Moody, J. & Kahanov, L. Factors related too burnout among graduate assistant athletic trainers.

Reed, S., & Giacobbi Jr, P.R. The stress and coping responses of certified graduate athletic training

students. Journal of Athletic Training 2004;39(2):193-200.

Stilger, V.G., Etzel, E.F., & Lantz, C.D. Life-stress sources and symptoms of collegiate student

athletic trainers over the Course of an academic year. Journal of Athletic Training 2001;36(4):401-407.

http://www.mindtools.com/stress/Brn/BurnoutSelfTest.htm

www.stressdoc.com/four_stages_burnbout.htm