Work-related stress and occupational therapy

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Healthcare professions
• Psychology

Background:

• Occupational stress and burnout are significant concerns within human services.
• Healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, are often considered at high risk due to the demanding nature of their work.
• Existing literature highlights shared risk factors among healthcare professionals, such as exposure to distress and uncertain outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review occupational therapy literature concerning work-related stress and burnout.
• To explore potential risk and protective factors specific to occupational therapists in various countries.
• To compare occupational therapists' stress and burnout rates with related occupational groups.

Main Methods:

• A review of articles on occupational therapy and work-related stress was conducted.
• The review focused on practices in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Sweden.
• Empirical data comparing burnout rates across different occupational groups was examined.

Main Results:

• Empirical evidence on occupational therapy stress is limited but suggests shared risk factors with other healthcare professionals.
• Identified risk factors for occupational therapists include exposure to distress, prolonged interventions, professional status, and staffing issues.
• Comparative studies indicate occupational therapists may possess protective factors against certain stress and burnout elements.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists share some occupational stressors with other healthcare professionals.
• Current empirical data suggests occupational therapists might be less susceptible to certain burnout factors.
• Further research is essential to fully understand occupational stress and identify unique risk and protective factors within the profession.