The Phenomenon of Burnout Among Occupational Therapists: A phenomenological mixed methods study

Abstract

Burnout is a phenomenon that has existed well before the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, since the global pandemic, there has been a greater awareness of the effects of burnout and how it uniquely impacts occupational therapists. Burnout is an experience that is often specific to each individual creating the multifactorial phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of the doctoral capstone project was to understand the experience of occupational therapists burnout and identify their specific needs through mixed methods phenomenological research at Eskenazi Hospital, a Level I Trauma center in the heart of Indianapolis. Moreover the study sought to utilize research outcomes to assist in programmatic development regarding therapist health and wellness to decrease burnout and increase therapists management of burnout experience and symptoms.