The effect of an online individualized program to prevent nurse burnout – a mixed method study
International Journal of Workplace Health Management
ISSN: 1753-8351
Article publication date: 13 September 2021
Issue publication date: 18 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Preventing burnout and promoting psychological well-being in nurses are of great importance. In this study the effect of an online, stand-alone individualized preventive program for nurse burnout based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is described and explained.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method study with an explanatory sequential design was applied. Quantitative data were collected from September 2015 to March 2016 during an intervention study with a pretest-posttest wait-list control group design within a population of hospital nurses in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Consecutively, 13 nurses from the intervention group who fully completed the program were interviewed.
Findings
All interviewed participants experienced some sort of effect due to working with the program. Emotional exhaustion remained stable in the intervention group and increased in the control group. However, this difference was not significant. Personal accomplishment decreased significantly within the intervention group when compared to the control group. This might be explained by the self-awareness that was created through the program, which confronted participants with their weaknesses and problems.
Originality/value
This study adds to the understanding of online individual burnout prevention. The results suggest the feasibility of an online program to prevent nurse burnout. This could be optimized by complementing it with organizational interventions, introducing refresher courses, reminders and follow-up. Furthermore, additional attention should be devoted to preparing the implementation in order to minimize attrition rates.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all participating hospitals and nursing units and especially the nurses and nurse managers who participated in the study. Furthermore, the authors would like to thank Christel Daems for her contribution to data collection and Hilde Corremans, Sarah El Malahi, and Peggy Bosschaert for transcription of the interviews.
Funding: This work was supported by Scientific Project Research funding from the Karel de Grote University College, Antwerp, Belgium.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Citation
Geuens, N., Franck, E., Vlerick, P. and Van Bogaert, P. (2022), "The effect of an online individualized program to prevent nurse burnout – a mixed method study", International Journal of Workplace Health Management, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-06-2020-0090
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited