Citation

Delgadillo J, Saxon D, Barkham M. Depress. Anxiety 2018; 35(9): 844-850.

Affiliation

Centre for Psychological Services Research, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/da.22766

PMID

29719089

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Occupational burnout is common in mental health professionals, but its impact on patient outcomes is as yet uncertain. This study aimed to investigate associations between therapist-level burnout and patient-level treatment outcomes after psychological therapy.

METHODS: We used multilevel modeling using depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) outcomes data from 2,223 patients nested within 49 therapists. Therapists completed a survey including the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) and a job satisfaction scale (JDSS).

RESULTS: After controlling for case-mix, around 5% of variability in treatment outcomes was explained by therapist effects (TE). Higher therapist OLBI-disengagement and lower JDSS scores were significantly associated with poorer treatment outcomes, explaining between 31 and 39% of the TE estimate. Higher OLBI scores were also correlated with lower job satisfaction ratings.

CONCLUSIONS: Therapist burnout has a negative impact on treatment outcomes and could be the target of future preventive and remedial action.

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

burnout; multilevel modeling; psychological therapies; therapist effects