Prevalence of Sexual Harassment Toward and Burnout Among Allied Healthcare Professionals

Authors

Stephen A. Cage, The University of Texas at TylerFollow
Meredith N. Decker, The University of Texas at ArlingtonFollow
Brandon J. Warner, Grand Canyon UniversityFollow
Kendall Goldberg, Baylor Scott & White Institute for RehabilitationFollow
Diana M. Gallegos, University of Texas at Tyler; UT Health East TexasFollow
Julianne Goza, Collin CollegeFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Burnout is a psychological cognitive-affective syndrome that is defined by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced accomplishment. Burnout has been identified as a common issue in several allied healthcare professions, and is often contributed to by stress, workload, and social support. At the time of this study, there appears to be no published research on the relationship between levels of sexual harassment and levels of burnout. The purpose of this was to describe the prevalence of burnout and sexual harassment among allied healthcare professionals and students. A secondary purpose was to examine the potential relationship between sexual harassment and burnout among allied healthcare professionals and students. Methods: A total of 173 allied healthcare professionals and students (age= 43 ± 13, years of certified experience = 17 ± 12) opened and completed the instrument. Participants were sent an electronic survey via email that collected demographic information and assessed levels of burnout and sexual harassment. Data was downloaded and analyzed using a commercially available statistics package. Results: On average, allied healthcare professionals and students were at risk of burnout. There was a significant positive correlation between levels of burnout and sexual harassment. Additionally, females were significantly more likely to report workplace sexual harassment than males. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest, on average, allied healthcare professionals and students are at risk of burnout. The findings also suggest that female allied healthcare professionals and students are more likely to experience burnout as a result of workplace sexual harassment. There is an evident need for employers to enhance policies and procedures to reduce and eliminate the occurrence of sexual harassment in the workplace. Doing so has the potential to reduce the risk of burnout among female allied healthcare professionals and students.

Author Bio(s)

S. Andrew Cage, EdD, LAT, ATC is the Head Athletic Trainer and an Instructor of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler, TX.

Meredith Decker, PhD, LAT, ATC is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education in the Athletic Training Program at the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, TX.

Brandon Warner, M.Ed., LAT, ATC is the Athletic Training Program Director at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ.

Kendall Goldberg, MLA, LAT, ATC is the Director of Athletic Training Services at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas, TX.

Diana Gallegos, MS, LAT, ATC is the Associate Athletic Trainer at the University of Texas at Tyler through UT Health East Texas in Tyler, TX.

Julianne Goza, MS, LAT, ATC is the Head Athletic Trainer and a Professor of Kinesiology at Collin College in Plano, TX.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2022.2186

Recommended Citation

Cage SA, Decker MN, Warner BJ, Goldberg K, Gallegos DM, Goza J. Prevalence of Sexual Harassment Toward and Burnout Among Allied Healthcare Professionals. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2022 Jun 29;20(3), Article 3.