Qualitative Exploration and Proof of Concept Toward the Development of the Burnout Assessment for Developmental...

The present evaluation aimed to begin development of a survey tool for measuring workplace stressors specific to behavioral health providers in clinical settings for autism and related developmental disabilities: the Burnout Assessment for Developmental Disability Settings (BADDS). BADDS development was guided by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS^®; Cella et al., (Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 63(11), 1179-1194, 2010) procedures. We used a qualitative analysis to define the target conceptual model (Phase 1). Using the analysis and reported lived experiences, we generated individual items for the BADDS. We then piloted these items in an online survey study to examine correlations with established measures of burnout (Phase 2). Finally, we used a modified Delphi approach to refine items with an expert panel, resulting in a preliminary item pool for the BADDS (Phase 3). Qualitative interviews produced a framework of four themes and nine sub-themes for analysis. Initial items were written across each theme and sub-theme. Findings from preliminary psychometric evaluation in Phase 2 demonstrated promising internal consistency, score stability, and positive associations with validated measures of burnout level. Finally in Phase 3, an expert panel edited items for relevance and clarity across three iterations of feedback. Though further analysis is needed, the BADDS tool has the potential to provide a conceptual analysis of burnout by identifying workplace stressors impacting behavioral health providers in autism service settings. This is in contrast to existing measures that solely inquire burnout level, but do not identify causes of job stress. Organizations may develop more effective strategies for mitigating burnout within their specific setting by incorporating assessments such as the BADDS into burnout interventions for providers.