Assessing Burnout and Resiliency in Online Degree Advancement Respiratory Care Students During a Pandemic

Authors

Kristen L. McHenry, Boise State UniversityFollow
Thomas J. Wing, Boise State UniversityFollow
Jody Lester, Boise State UniversityFollow
Lanny Inabnit, American Association for Respiratory CareFollow
Yong Gao, Boise State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the presence of burnout in online degree advancement Respiratory Care students during a pandemic and characteristics/strategies of resiliency. Method: The design of the study was quantitative; non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional survey research. The Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel (MBI-HSS (MP) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were used to measure these constructs. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine (129) students completed components of the survey for a response rate of approximately 28%. Relevant findings include a somewhat higher level of depersonalization for those who practice in adult acute care. Emotional exhaustion was higher in those who reported working directly with COVID-19 patients. Depersonalization was higher in the younger aged professionals (18-40 years). Resilience was found to have a negative correlation with both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a positive correlation with personal accomplishment. Conclusions: Findings support the need for training and education on emotional intelligence and opportunities to practice mindfulness-based stress reduction. Additionally, workload reductions and adequate time for recovery may help alleviate the emotional exhaustion of working respiratory therapists who are pursuing an advanced degree online.

Author Bio(s)

Kristen L. McHenry, EdD, RRT-ACCS, is a full-time faculty member for the RRT to BS online DA program at Boise State University and is a licensed RCP in the state of TN.

TJ Wing, EdD, RRT, is the program director for the RRT to BS online DA program at Boise State University and is a tenured associate professor.

Jody Lester, MA, RRT, FAARC is a full time faculty member in the RRT to BS online DA program at Boise State University and is a tenured associate professor.

Lanny Inabnit, MS, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS, FAARC is the Vice President of Education and Meetings at the American Association for Respiratory Care and adjunct instructor for the RRT to BS online DA program at Boise State University.

Yong Gao, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Boise State University and served as the investigative team's biostatistician.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from eCampus Faculty Research Fellowship.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2022.2135

Recommended Citation

McHenry KL, Wing TJ, Lester J, Inabnit L, Gao Y. Assessing Burnout and Resiliency in Online Degree Advancement Respiratory Care Students During a Pandemic. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2022 Mar 31;20(2), Article 3.