Abstract
Research question: To determine the incidence and level of work-related stress and burnout in midwives and contributing and protective demographic factors that may influence those levels.
Participants and method: All registered midwives (152) working in two public hospital
maternity units within the same health service district in NSW completed the
Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey and a demographic survey
including care model, shift work, lifestyle data and exercise level.
Findings: There was a response rate of 36.8% with 56 (56/152) midwives
completing the surveys. Almost two thirds (60.7%) of midwives in this sample
experienced moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion, a third (30.3%)
scoring low personal accomplishment and a third (30.3%) experiencing
depersonalization related to burnout. Significant differences were found among
groups of midwives according to years in the profession, shifts worked, how
many women with multiple psychosocial issues were included in the midwife's
workload and the midwife's uptake of physical exercise. Those midwives who had
spent longer in the profession and exercised scored low burnout levels.
Conclusion: The impact of years in the profession, shifts worked, how
many women with multiple psychosocial issues were included in their workload
and the midwife's level of exercise significantly affected how these midwives
dealt with burnout and provided care for women. As the response rate was low,
and the study cannot be generalised to the entire midwifery workforce but
provides important insights for further research. Understanding factors related
to burnout can benefit health care institutions financially and in terms of
human costs, especially in view of consistent international shortages of
midwives.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 26-32 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Women and Birth |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |