Abstract
Introduction: Patient outcomes and the organisational success of healthcare institutions are largely influenced by the wellbeing of its staff. Occupational therapy is the fastest-growing allied health profession in Australia, with
hospitals a primary employer of occupational therapists. Current empirical literature, however, has not investigated the professional wellbeing among this group.
Objective: To explore the professional wellbeing of Victorian bed-based, grade two occupational therapists regarding their professional identity, job satisfaction, turnover intention, work engagement, and experiences of
work-related burnout.
Method: Thirty-two participants completed an online survey involving demographics and measures of burnout, job satisfaction, professional identity, turnover intention, and job demands and resources. Eight participants were
interviewed to further explore these concepts. Survey data were analysed using Spearman’s correlation, and a linear regression model with bootstrapping was completed to determine predictors of participants’ professional identity. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
Results: A significant positive correlation was found between professional identity and job satisfaction (rho = 0.516, P = 0.002), and a significant negative correlation between professional identity and two burnout subscales: disengagement (rho = 0.533, P = .001) and exhaustion (rho = 0.507, P = 0.002). A regression model accounted for 39.2% of the variance of participants’
professional identity (P = 0.002). Preliminary qualitative findings highlight the supports and challenges of balancing role demands, maintaining professional identity and contemplating one’s professional future.
Conclusion: This research contributes to the growing understanding of professional wellbeing among Victorian occupational therapists and the factors that contribute to and hinder their wellbeing. Implications for practice and
recommendations for future research are provided.
hospitals a primary employer of occupational therapists. Current empirical literature, however, has not investigated the professional wellbeing among this group.
Objective: To explore the professional wellbeing of Victorian bed-based, grade two occupational therapists regarding their professional identity, job satisfaction, turnover intention, work engagement, and experiences of
work-related burnout.
Method: Thirty-two participants completed an online survey involving demographics and measures of burnout, job satisfaction, professional identity, turnover intention, and job demands and resources. Eight participants were
interviewed to further explore these concepts. Survey data were analysed using Spearman’s correlation, and a linear regression model with bootstrapping was completed to determine predictors of participants’ professional identity. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
Results: A significant positive correlation was found between professional identity and job satisfaction (rho = 0.516, P = 0.002), and a significant negative correlation between professional identity and two burnout subscales: disengagement (rho = 0.533, P = .001) and exhaustion (rho = 0.507, P = 0.002). A regression model accounted for 39.2% of the variance of participants’
professional identity (P = 0.002). Preliminary qualitative findings highlight the supports and challenges of balancing role demands, maintaining professional identity and contemplating one’s professional future.
Conclusion: This research contributes to the growing understanding of professional wellbeing among Victorian occupational therapists and the factors that contribute to and hinder their wellbeing. Implications for practice and
recommendations for future research are provided.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australian Occupational Therapy Journal |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue number | S1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2023 |
| Event | Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference and Exhibition 2023 - Cairns, Australia Duration: 21 Jun 2023 → 23 Jun 2023 Conference number: 30th https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14401630/2023/70/S1 https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2023/program |