Comparative Effectiveness of a Burnout Reduction Intervention for Behavioral Health Providers
Angela L Rollins1, Marina Kukla1, Gary Morse1
1Dr. Rollins, Dr. Kukla, Dr. Flanagan, Dr. Russ, Dr. Wasmuth, Dr. Eliacin, and Ms. Collins are with the Center for Health Information and Communication, and Dr. Davis is with the Department of Research and Development, Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Rollins is also with the Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, where Dr. Salyers is affiliated. Dr. Morse is with Places for People-Community Alternatives for Hope, Health, and Recovery, St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Leiter is with the Department of Psychology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Dr. Monroe-DeVita is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle. Send correspondence to Dr. Rollins (e-mail: alrollin@iupui.edu ).
Objectives:
Prior research found preliminary effectiveness for Burnout Reduction: Enhanced Awareness, Tools, Handouts, and Education (BREATHE), a daylong workshop for reducing burnout among behavioral health providers. Using a longer follow-up compared with prior research, this study compared the effectiveness of BREATHE and a control condition.
Methods:
Behavioral health providers (N=145) from three U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and two social service agencies were randomly assigned to BREATHE or person-centered treatment planning. Burnout and other outcomes were compared across groups over time.
Results:
Analyses yielded no significant differences between groups. However, BREATHE participants showed small but statistically significant improvements in cynicism (six weeks) and in emotional exhaustion and positive expectations for clients (six months). Participants in the control condition showed no significant changes over time.
Conclusions:
Although it did not demonstrate comparative effectiveness versus a control condition, BREATHE could be strengthened and targeted toward both distressed providers and their organizations.
Related Concept Videos
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...

