The relationship between professional burnout, fatigue and mental health among physiotherapists working in hospitals during the pandemic

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between professional burnout, fatigue and mental health among physiotherapists working in hospitals during the pandemic. 130 physiotherapists who have been a physiotherapist for at least one year and who have worked actively during the pandemic were included in the study. After obtaining sociodemographic information of physiotherapists and information about Covid-19, professional burnout was evaluated with Maslach Burnout Scale (MBI) which has emotional exhaustion, personal achievement and depersonalization dimensions. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used for the severity of fatigue, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for mental health. Surveys were conducted online. The positive correlation between FSS and emotional exhaustion score (r = 0.530; p <0.001), negative correlation between FSS and personal achievement score (r = -0.243; p <0.01), positive correlation between FSS and depersonalization score (r = 0.428 ; p <0.001) were found. Positive correlation between BDI and emotional exhaustion score (r = 0.586; p <0.001), negative correlation between BDI and personal achievement score (r = -0.233; p <0.01), positive correlation between BDI and depersonalization score (r = 0.530; p <0.001) were found. Positive (r = 0.570; p <0.001) significant linear relationship was found between FSS and BDI. As a result, professional burnout, fatigue and mental health levels of physiotherapists who have worked during the pandemic were found to be correlated with each other. Considering that the patient load in physiotherapy will increase and there will be a greater need for physiotherapists in the fight against Covid-19 and afterwards, this result should be considered. The response of physiotherapists to the Covid-19 pandemic should be evaluated in detail. Practices should be implemented to prevent professional burnout, fatigue and depression.