Individualizing the burnout problem: Health professionals’ discourses of burnout and recovery in the context of rehabilitation

Author(s):  
Maija Korhonen ◽  
Katri Komulainen

This discourse analytical study explores how health professionals (HPs) construct burnout as a form of mental distress in the context of Finnish burnout rehabilitation framed with a particular rehabilitation ethos. Burnout is a fuzzy concept and lacks a disease status. Therefore, it calls for context-specific definition and justification. By highlighting the socially and interactionally produced character of categories of mental distress, the study investigates the kinds of discourses HPs use to formulate “the problem” and its solutions, and how people dealing with burnout are categorized in these discourses. The data consists of field notes from the observation of group discussion sessions in two 1-year burnout rehabilitation courses. As a result of the analysis, five partly overlapping discourses were identified: psychological, evolutionary, healthy lifestyle, biomedical, and welfare. Within these discourses, people who experience burnout were categorized as over-conscientious employees, “good girls,” “primitive people,” self-responsible rehabilitees, patients, and (aging) employees with social and legal rights. Burnout rehabilitation and HPs’ views reproduce a cultural and clinical discourse around burnout in which work-related problems are treated as individual-level problems and individuals are responsibilized for the management of mental distress. Based on the results, it is concluded that the hybrid type of interventions that attempt to influence both individual- and work-related problems behind burnout would help to prevent people dealing with burnout from being over-responsibilized for solving problems at the workplace.

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  

In Slovenia, the role of general practitioners in counselling physical activity for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well recognized. The role of general practitioners in advising healthy lifestyle for individuals who are at risk of developing CVD is formally defined in the National Program for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, which has been running since 2001. Part of the program is counselling on healthy lifestyle including physical activity, performed in all health centres across the country. First a screening and medical examination is performed. In case of higher risk for CVD (>20%) the physician should give advice on the particular risk factor and direct patients to health-education centres, where they can participate in healthy lifestyle workshops lead by health professionals. Physicians and other health professionals who are involved in the implementation of prevention activities within the program need knowledge and skills that are crucial for successful counselling on healthy lifestyle. The educational program “basic education in health promotion and prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in primary health care/family medicine” consists of two parts. The first part of the training is open to all health professionals working within the program. The second part is intended for health professionals working in health-education workshops. In the last few years a new family practice model has been introduced and disseminated. Some duties of the family physician, including health promotion and counselling, are being transferred to graduate nurses who become part of the family practice team. This new division of work undoubtedly brings many advantages, both in terms of the work organization, and of high-quality patient care. Nevertheless preventive action cannot be fully passed on to graduate nurses. Careful planning and education are needed to ensure a comprehensive approach in healthy life style counselling.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014616722199221
Author(s):  
Angela R. Dorrough ◽  
Monika Leszczyńska ◽  
Sandra Werner ◽  
Lovis Schaeffer ◽  
Anna-Sophie Galley ◽  
...  

We investigate how men and women are evaluated in group discussions. In five studies ( N = 761) using a variant of a Hidden Profile Task, we find that, when experimentally and/or statistically controlling for actual gender differences in behavior, the female performance in a group discussion is devalued in comparison to male performance. This was observed for fellow group members (Study 1) and outside observers (Studies 2–5), in both primarily student (Studies 1, 4, and 5) and mixed samples (Studies 2 and 3), for different measures of performance (perceived helpfulness of the contribution, for work-related competence), across different discussion formats (preformulated chat messages, open chat), and when controlling for the number of female group members (Study 5). In contrast to our hypothesis, we did not find a moderating effect of selection procedure in that women were devalued to a similar degree in both situations with a women’s quota and without.


Author(s):  
Xiaotao Zhang ◽  
Abiodun Oluyomi ◽  
LeChauncy Woodard ◽  
Syed Ahsan Raza ◽  
Maral Adel Fahmideh ◽  
...  

This study examined individual-level determinants of self-reported changes in healthy (diet and physical activity) and addictive (alcohol use, smoking, and vaping) lifestyle behaviors during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in the USA. A national online survey was administered between May and June 2020 that targeted a representative U.S. sample and yielded data from 1276 respondents, including 58% male and 50% racial/ethnic minorities. We used univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine the associations of sociodemographic, mental health, and behavioral determinants with self-reported changes in lifestyle behaviors. Some study participants reported increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors since the pandemic (i.e., 36% increased healthy eating behaviors, and 33% increased physical activity). However, they also reported increases in addictive lifestyle behaviors including alcohol use (40%), tobacco use (41%), and vaping (46%). With regard to individual-level determinants, individuals who reported adhering to social distancing guidelines were also more likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors (β = 0.12, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.21). Conversely, women (β = −0.37, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.12), and unemployed individuals (β = −0.33, 95% CI −0.64 to −0.02) were less likely to report increases in healthy lifestyle behaviors. In addition, individuals reporting anxiety were more likely to report increases in addictive behaviors (β = 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.43). Taken together, these findings suggest that women and unemployed individuals may benefit from interventions targeting diet and physical activity, and that individuals reporting anxiety may benefit from interventions targeting smoking and alcohol cessation to address lifestyle changes during the pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie N. C. Visser ◽  
Carolina Minguillon ◽  
Gonzalo Sánchez-Benavides ◽  
Marc Abramowicz ◽  
Daniele Altomare ◽  
...  

AbstractGrowing evidence suggests dementia incidence can be reduced through prevention programs targeting risk factors. To accelerate the implementation of such prevention programs, a new generation of brain health services (BHS) is envisioned, involving risk profiling, risk communication, risk reduction, and cognitive enhancement. The purpose of risk communication is to enable individuals at risk to make informed decisions and take action to protect themselves and is thus a crucial step in tailored prevention strategies of the dementia incidence. However, communicating about dementia risk is complex and challenging.In this paper, we provide an overview of (i) perspectives on communicating dementia risk from an ethical, clinical, and societal viewpoint; (ii) insights gained from memory clinical practice; (iii) available evidence on the impact of disclosing APOE and Alzheimer’s disease biomarker test results gathered from clinical trials and observational studies; (iv) the value of established registries in light of BHS; and (v) practical recommendations regarding effective strategies for communicating about dementia risk.In addition, we identify challenges, i.e., the current lack of evidence on what to tell on an individual level—the actual risk—and on how to optimally communicate about dementia risk, especially concerning worried yet cognitively unimpaired individuals. Ideally, dementia risk communication strategies should maximize the desired impact of risk information on individuals’ understanding of their health/disease status and risk perception and minimize potential harms. More research is thus warranted on the impact of dementia risk communication, to (1) evaluate the merits of different approaches to risk communication on outcomes in the cognitive, affective and behavioral domains, (2) develop an evidence-based, harmonized dementia risk communication protocol, and (3) develop e-tools to support and promote adherence to this protocol in BHSs.Based on the research reviewed, we recommend that dementia risk communication should be precise; include the use of absolute risks, visual displays, and time frames; based on a process of shared decision-making; and address the inherent uncertainty that comes with any probability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
David Briggs

It is difficult while writing an editorial, at this time, to ignore the extensive impact of the Corona virus (COVID-19) and it is probably important for us, as health professionals to give it some considered thought, outside the immediacy of current activity. I say this as someone recently returned from work related overseas travel, with my travel not meeting the government-imposed return deadline by some seven hours. This required my quarantine and/or isolation for some two weeks. After my first week of exclusion from most of my family, friends and working remotely and online it seems that the rest of Australia has caught up with my circumstance, many stood down from work, many businesses closed, a massive effort by the health system and economic rescue or support packages being implemented by government. It seems that I will have little opportunity to relax and celebrate with others at the end of this week.....


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76

Real estate is a revelatory industry for the study of ICT uses because it is information-intensive and realtors are information intermediaries between buyers and sellers. As agents, buyers and sellers increase their uses of ICT, they also change how they approach their daily work. Information intensive industries, by their nature, show the greatest impacts due to ICTs that enable information sharing and the bypassing of traditional information intermediaries. However, while the effects and uses of ICT are often associated with organizations (and industries), their use occurs at the individual level. In other words, it is changes to individual work related to the use of ICTs that reshape both organization and industry structures, and vice-versa. In this study, we use activity theory to provide an analytic perspective within the setting in Malaysia. Data reveal historical structures of this industry guiding the day-to-day work of agents, buyers, sellers and the role of agency. Many of these structures are embodied in a set of explicit contracts that reify existing structures and legitimize realtors’ actions. While looking from the agencies practices, we explain possible improvement in the real estate industry following the advancement of internet & mobile technology, viewing the possibilities towards the use of IOT in real estate industry.


Jurnal NERS ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Ah Yusuf

Competences of the nurse can be a good ability when supported with a positive perception of nurses about the competence itself. This study describe the nurse competencies in taking care patients with mental disorders and barriers in the implementation of these competencies.This study design used qualitative descriptive phenomenology. Population was nurse who worked at the Mental Hospital. Participants were 17 nurses from two  Mental Hospital in East Java which obtained by purposive sampling. Data was collected by indepth interview and focus group discussion (FGD). Equipment tools used media player, FGD guidelines and field notes. The data were analyzed by thematically analysis based Colaizzi .            The results produce eight themes. The nurse's perception of competence in caring for patients with mental disorders are implementing nursing care, Standard Procedures Operational (SPO) and nursing modality therapy. While nurses encounter obstacles when applying competence in the implementation of nursing documentation, limited facilities, the lack of effectiveness management system, limited human resource and the condition of the patient. The findings of this study can be used by nurses as a material to develop documentation formats more effectively and hospital management are expected to pay more attention to aspects of the guidance and supervision of the implementation of competence. Research suggested based on the findings is to analyze the relationship between supervision and nurse’s performance and satisfaction Keyword: Nurse, Competencies, Mental Disorder


2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander-Stamatios Antoniou

Although assessment of stress is typically performed using generic stress questionnaires, the context-specificity and generalisability of such assessments are often ignored. This study explored the differences in perceptions of work-related stressors in male/female and high/low rank police officers in Greece, by the application of a context-specific measure. 512 police officers representing the Hellenic police force responded to a questionnaire assessing precursors to work stress, and perceived level of stress. Results revealed that the nature of occupational stressors pertinent to Greek police officers differed as a function of their gender and their rank. Males and females differed in their perceptions of stressfulness of the context-specific issues assessed, with females reporting significantly higher stress in 21 work and organisational issues. High and low rank police officers also differed in their perceptions of stressfulness, with high rank police officers reporting more stress overall. The study highlighted the facts that work issues pertaining to female police officers' work and work issues pertaining to high and low rank police officers are of a specific nature. Women police officers are concerned more with issues related to career opportunities, roles and responsibility, and work–family issues. Risk assessment and stress management interventions should take these into consideration. Context-specificity is a good way forward in assessments of stress, and measures may need to be refined.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-85
Author(s):  
James Appleyard

As the Congress explored the nature of burnout among doctors and health professionals in differing settings and in different nations it is clear that burnout is a global phenomenon. An organizational paradigm changes to a person- and people-centered system that incorporates complexity, is adaptive and integrative is essential. Such a change will enable continuing medical education be effective and the current unaffordable and unnecessary waste of human resources that the Congress identified reduced. The Congress reviewed a range of features precipitating burnout including a dysfunctional work–life balance and a variety of relatively simple individually protective factors. It is because of this variety that person- and people-centered initiatives rather than narrowly based top-down management solutions will prove effective Individual-level actions can be taken to reduce stress and poor health symptoms through effective coping and promoting healthy behavior. But there needs to be a much better alignment between the health system and the individual physician so that there are shared professional values within a clear medical ethical framework [23] that encourages professional development and adaptation to the health service environment and health system.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Dile Worke ◽  
Gurmesa Tura Debelew ◽  
Zewdie Birhanu Koricha

Abstract Background: Coping strategies of sexual harassment are determined by the person, environment, and cognitive reappraisal. Consequently, the issue of how women victims cope with the problem is still unsettled worldwide. Women were disproportionately victims of sexual harassment in the hospitality industries, and the issue of response is at an earlier phase in low and middle-income countries, and particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study was aimed to develop a context specific and data-driven coping strategy framework for sexual harassment victimization against women working in the hospitality workplaces.Methods: We conducted a qualitative, grounded theory approach to guide the study process. The data were collected from women, managers, cashiers, and customers. We use a semi-structured, specific audience, and focus group discussion guides. A constant comparative approach was used to summarize data and describe meanings. ATLAS. ti version 8.4.24 software package was used for data coding categorizing, and visualizing networks.Results: The analysis provided a context specific coping strategic framework, which consists of, closely interconnected, four dimensions practiced by women hospitality employees. The dimensions were normalization, engagement, help-seeking, and detachment with the respective barriers. The normalization dimension encompasses silence, acceptance, denial, refusal, grief, and tolerance. Likewise, the engagement dimension consists of confrontation, negotiation, retaliation/threatening, and discrimination of the perpetrators. The help-seeking dimension also involves elements such as discussing with friends, complaining to supervisors, consulting professionals, and accusing the perpetrators. Finally, the detachment dimension entails job-hopping, job withdrawal, work withdrawal, and distancing. A variety of barriers deterred all dimensions. However, normalization was facilitated by some factors, and adverse outcomes ended the engagement dimension of coping.Conclusion: The sexual harassment coping capacities of women employees have been unclear, which left no whole for the stakeholders to intervene. The new coping strategic framework can serve as a valuable guide to design context-specific interventions that make the women and the stakeholders prevent sexual harassment, decrease the barriers, and alleviate effects.


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