What contributes to burnout and the state of well-being among speech language pathologists working in the public sector?

Abstract

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPS) are Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) who provide an assessment and intervention service in relation to speech, language, and swallowing difficulties, within settings such as hospitals, community clinics and mainstream schools. Assessment and therapy is provided to people of all ages, and usually involves provision of ample sessions. Such frequent contact made with service users may increase the likelihood of the therapist feeling stressed and developing burnout. Burnout consists of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a lack of personal accomplishment. The public entity is comprised of 100 SLPs and in the last two years 11% of the employees resigned which led the researcher to investigate burnout. The aim of this research is to determine the burnout level among SLPs working in the public sector. Together with the participants, the researcher sought to identify possible links to burnout and strategies to overcome it. The suggestions will be put forward to management for consideration, in the hope of improving the employees’ work engagement. The study employed a mixed cross-sectional research design. The quantitative design included a survey which collected demographics data and responses to the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey. The sample included the total population of SLPs working within the public sector of 100 persons, with a response rate of 82% (n = 82). The qualitative design employed a focus group discussion with 12 participants (15%). Results suggested that 32 SLPs (39%) claim to experience a high level of burnout, 27 (32%) average levels of burnout and 24 SLPs (28%) claim to experience a low level of burnout. Findings reported age (p =0.028), education level (p = 0.035) and workplace setting (p = 0.022) as the demographic variables linked to burnout. Emotional exhaustion has the strongest significant correlation with depersonalisation (r = -0.56, p = 0.05). and these are both significantly negatively correlated to personal accomplishment r = -0.22, p = 0.05 and r = -0.40, p = 0.05 respectively, meaning that the SLPs feeling depersonalised are very likely to feel emotionally exhausted and lack personal accomplishment. Issues with work-life balance, COVID-19 pandemic, limited resources, the nature of the work, excessive paperwork, isolation, and lack of recognition were all noted to be drivers for burnout. Strategies used to overcome burnout included embracing a positive outlook, appropriate communication and support, and the standardisation of workplaces. This study depicts the levels of burnout which SLPs experience, drivers for burnout and strategies to reduce burnout. Recommendations for management included the reduction of administration duties, setting up of appropriate channels for support within the workplace, promote awareness of the profession, and the introduction of stress management continuous professional development opportunities. The study provides suggestions on changes that can be done within the community of SLPs working within the public sector.