Burnout in recently qualified physiotherapists in South Australia

Burnout has been shown to be present in experienced physiotherapists and other health professionals, but the prevalence in recently graduated physiotherapists has not been established. This study used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to determine the prevalence of burnout in physiotherapists working in South Australia who had been qualified for less than five years. Sixty per cent of subjects were found to have moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion, the key characteristic of burnout. High or moderate depersonalisations were recorded by 44 per cent of subjects. These levels were higher than those found in experienced physiotherapists (Solowij 1992). Burnout is related to attrition from the profession, absenteeism and reduced quality of care for patients, as well as physical and psychological symptoms.