The Open Occupational Health & Safety Journal
2010, 2 : 16-18Published online 2010 October 11. DOI: 10.2174/1876216601002010016
Publisher ID: TOOHSJ-2-16
Burnout Predicts Health Behaviors in Ambulance Workers
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Ambulance workers report higher levels of burnout compared to other health professionals which puts them at risk for a variety of health problems. Despite the evidence about the link between burnout and worsened health, it is still not known whether this relationship is a direct one or mediated by health behaviours. The purpose of the article is to examine the association between burnout and health behaviours in ambulance workers.
Materials and Methodology:
347 ambulance workers participated in this cross-sectional study. A series of multiple regression models were tested to examine the associations of burnout to eating and exercise behaviour, smoking, and drinking, controlling for age, working experience, caseload, and social support.
Results:
Burnout and workload positively predicted consumption of fast-food meals per week while burnout was the only predictor of reduced weekly exercise. Burnout and workload positively predicted frequency of social drinking while burnout was the sole predictor of the quantity of drink-units consumed socially. Social support predicted frequency and quantity of drinking at home.
Discussion:
This study shows that burnout is related to unhealthy eating, reduced exercise behavior and excessive drinking among ambulance workers. In addition it highlights the fact that alcohol consumption in different settings is related to different needs. The implications of these findings for the healthcare sector are discussed.