Original scientific paper
The relationship between physical activity and professional burnout syndrome among physiotherapists in Croatia
Anamaria Komen
; Fakultet zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci
Mirela Vučković
; Fakultet zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci
Aleksandra Mihelčić
Abstract
Introduction and aim: Professional burnout syndrome occurs as a result of chronic exposure to high stress in the workplace. Healthcare workers, including physiotherapists, have proven to be more susceptible to this syndrome than professionals in other fields. It has been demonstrated that physical activity has a protective effect on stress and professional burnout in certain healthcare professions. Therefore, the main aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between the level of physical activity and the intensity of professionalburnout among physiotherapists. The specific aim was to compare the intensity of professional burnout among physiotherapists with regard to their level of education.Respondents and methods: The survey included 170 physiotherapists who worked in Croatia at the time of the research and had at least one year of professional experience. Besides general sociodemographic data, the questionnaire used inthis research included two standardized questionnaires: “Questionnaire of the intensity of burnout at work” and “International physical activity questionnaire – short form”. Results: The median intensity of professional burnout among the respondents was 25 points (interquartile rangefrom 22 to 29 points), thus showing that burnout is not present. The research results demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between the level of physical activity and the intensity of professional burnout among physiotherapists(p = 0.255). Furthermore, no statistically significantdifference was found in the intensity of professional burnoutamong physiotherapists with regard to their level of education(p = 0.642).Conclusion: The results indicate that the tested sample didnot exhibit signs of professional burnout. The research foundno association between physical activity and professionalburnout syndrome among physiotherapists in Croatia. Thissuggests a need for further research on this topic in orderto maintain the health and work ability of physiotherapists.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
324953
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2024.
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