Burnout Among Non-Direct Patient Care Genetic Counselors: Correlation with Job-Related Attitudes and Work Environment
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Claudia Jackson
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Genetic Counseling
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Jill Fischer
Abstract:
Work-related burnout, defined by depersonalization, exhaustion, and reduced personal accomplishment, has a significant impact on the retention of genetic counselors in the workforce. Existing literature predominantly focuses on burnout among direct patient care genetic counselors, leaving a notable gap in understanding the experiences of those in non-direct patient care roles. This mix-methods study aims to address this gap by investigating various work-related and personal factors contributing to burnout in non-direct patient care genetic counseling roles via a 42-question survey, providing crucial insights for the evolving landscape of the profession. Descriptive statistics were generated via IBM SPSS Statistics 27 for OSX and burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS), and 13 themes were generated from the qualitative analysis. The MBI-GS is a validated measure that uses three subscales to measure burnout: cynicism, professional efficacy, and exhaustion. Results from both qualitative responses indicate that participants perceive burnout to be largely linked to leadership and management concerns. Additionally, variable sociodemographic factors are identified as contributing factors. The sociodemographic profile and burnout scores of 27 non-direct patient care genetic counselors are summarized, exploring the interplay between professional experiences, sociodemographics, and burnout in this evolving sector of genetic counseling.