Incidence and Cause of Occupational Burnout Syndrome Among Sonographers

Abstract

To investigate the level of occupational burnout syndrome in a cohort of sonographers and to determine any associations between sex, number of hours worked per week, and burnout. This study used a cross-sectional approach that replicated the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and surveyed a convenience sample of sonographers who are members of the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The study survey offered the total scores of occupational burnout, disengagement, and exhaustion, with a potential minimum score of 16 and a maximum score of 64. The results yielded a minimum score of 17 and a maximum score of 64. The mean score was 43.11 (SD = 7.02), indicating a moderate level of burnout. This cohort of sonographers demonstrated moderate levels of burnout, so it is important to acknowledge that preventing occupational burnout is necessary to ensure that workplace stress is managed to avoid significant issues. Further research is needed to assess how occupational burnout syndrome affects retention in the profession.