Assessing Occupational Burnout Among a Cohort of New York City Sonographers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Occupational burnout has been documented among health care workers; however, there has been limited research investigating burnout among sonographers. The aim of this study was to measure burnout among a cohort of sonographers within New York City. Materials and Methods: 70 participants completed a questionnaire online. The questionnaire comprised 2 sections: demographic questions and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). The OLBI was used to assess 2 core dimensions of burnout: exhaustion and disengagement. The data were analyzed descriptively with frequencies, percentages, mean values, and standard deviations. Results: The majority (84.3%) of the participants worked in a hospital setting. A moderate to high burnout score was found for 81.4% of the participants. In the separate dimensions of burnout, 84.3% scored moderate to high on exhaustion, and 76.6% scored moderate to high on disengagement. Conclusion: Occupational burnout in health care settings is a serious problem with detrimental consequences. Most of this cohort of 70 sonographers working in New York City were experiencing a moderate to high level of burnout. Development of educational programs and interventions can be considered a potential solution for addressing prevention of sonographer burnout.