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'Burnout' among Dutch midwives
R H Bakker1, P P Groenewegen, L Jabaaij
1NIVEL (Netherlands Institute of Primary Health Care), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Midwifery
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Workload and work capacity significantly impact midwife burnout. A higher percentage of home births, compared to hospital births, was associated with lower burnout rates, suggesting organizational changes can help.
Area of Science:
- Midwifery
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Burnout is a significant concern in the midwifery profession.
- Understanding the factors contributing to burnout is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of workload on burnout in community midwives.
- To investigate the role of work capacity in the relationship between workload and burnout.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 200 Dutch community midwives.
- Data collected through three-week diary recordings and questionnaires on practice, personal characteristics, burnout, social support, and coping style.
Main Results:
- Midwife burnout is influenced by both workload and work capacity.
- High workload contributes to burnout when midwives lack the capacity to manage stressful situations.
- A higher proportion of home births, versus hospital births, correlated with lower burnout.
Conclusions:
- Organizational changes in Dutch community midwifery care could reduce burnout.
- Burnout is complex, influenced by individual and organizational factors.
- Policy interventions should consider work-related factors and personal resources to mitigate burnout.