Mini-Z validation for burnout and stress evaluation: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Psychometrics
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Burnout is a prevalent issue among healthcare professionals, impacting job satisfaction and well-being.
• The Mini-Z questionnaire is a validated tool for assessing burnout, stress, and satisfaction.
• Existing burnout assessment tools may not fully capture the nuances of the healthcare work environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Italian version of the Mini-Z questionnaire for assessing burnout in healthcare workers.
• To compare the Italian Mini-Z with established burnout assessment scales like the CBI and MBI.
• To evaluate the reliability and usability of the Italian Mini-Z in a diverse healthcare professional sample.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 120 healthcare professionals was conducted.
• Participants completed the Italian Mini-Z, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).
• Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha, and validity was examined using Pearson's coefficient.

Main Results:

• 18.3% of healthcare professionals scored 40 or higher on the Mini-Z, indicating potential burnout or dissatisfaction.
• The average Mini-Z score was 33.35%, with 81.7% scoring below 40, suggesting a generally unpleasant work environment for this group.
• The Italian Mini-Z demonstrated good reliability and comparability with established scales.

Conclusions:

• The Italian Mini-Z is a reliable and user-friendly tool for assessing burnout and well-being factors in healthcare workers.
• Routine burnout assessments are essential for early detection and prevention strategies in healthcare settings.
• The Mini-Z's comprehensive approach, including well-being factors, offers advantages over previous assessment tools.