Prevalence of Stress and Burnout in Physical Therapist Clinical Instructors

This study investigates the prevalence of stress and burnout among Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors (PT CIs) using the Perceived Stress Scale - 10 (PSS-10) and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) surveys. Given the critical role of PT CIs in student education, understanding their stress and burnout levels is essential.

The, PSS-10, a 10-item self-report survey, measures perceived stress with scores ranging from 0 to 40. It has demonstrated good psychometric properties, including test-retest reliability ( r = 0.77) and criterion validity ( r = -0.70 with short form-36). The OLBI, a 16-item survey, assesses burnout through disengagement and exhaustion subscales, showing strong reliability ( r = 0.85) and validity.

The study included 494 PT CIs who met the inclusion criteria of having supervised a student physical therapist within the past 12 months and working full time. Participants were nationally recruited via emails and social media.

A cross-sectional design was employed. Participants completed an electronic survey consisting of a demographic form and the PSS-10 and OLBI measures. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, with one-way ANOVAs conducted to assess differences between demographic groups. This study was conducted midway through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mean PSS-10 score was 15, indicating moderate stress for 56.1% of participants. The mean OLBI score was 36.95, indicating moderate burnout for 65.4% of participants. Significant differences between groups in both stress and burnout were found across age and marital status variables. Notably, women reported higher burnout levels than men.

Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors exhibit moderate stress and burnout levels, similar to general PT populations. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions supporting PT CIs, particularly considering the COVID-19 pandemic impact. Future research should explore additional factors influencing PT CI stress and burnout and develop strategies of mitigation.