Abstract
Research question
To determine the incidence and level of work-related stress and burnout in midwives
and contributing and protective demographic factors that may influence those levels.
Participants and method
All registered midwives (152) working in two public hospital maternity units within
the same health service district in NSW completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human
Services Survey and a demographic survey including care model, shift work, lifestyle
data and exercise level.
Findings
There was a response rate of 36.8% with 56 (56/152) midwives completing the surveys.
Almost two thirds (60.7%) of midwives in this sample experienced moderate to high
levels of emotional exhaustion, a third (30.3%) scoring low personal accomplishment
and a third (30.3%) experiencing depersonalization related to burnout. Significant
differences were found among groups of midwives according to years in the profession,
shifts worked, how many women with multiple psychosocial issues were included in the
midwife's workload and the midwife's uptake of physical exercise. Those midwives who
had spent longer in the profession and exercised scored low burnout levels.
Conclusion
The impact of years in the profession, shifts worked, how many women with multiple
psychosocial issues were included in their workload and the midwife's level of exercise
significantly affected how these midwives dealt with burnout and provided care for
women. As the response rate was low, and the study cannot be generalised to the entire
midwifery workforce but provides important insights for further research. Understanding
factors related to burnout can benefit health care institutions financially and in
terms of human costs, especially in view of consistent international shortages of
midwives.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 02, 2011
Accepted:
August 4,
2011
Received in revised form:
August 3,
2011
Received:
June 14,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
