Exploring the professional wellbeing of Grade 2 occupational therapists employed in public health inpatient settings in Victoria, Australia: A mixed-methods study.

Abstract

Background: Patient outcomes and the organisational success of healthcare institutions are largely influenced by the wellbeing of its staff. Occupational therapy is the fastest growing allied health profession in Australia. Current empirical literature, however, has not investigated the professional wellbeing amongst this group.

Objective: This study explored the professional wellbeing of Victorian bed-based, Grade 2 occupational therapists regarding their professional identity, job satisfaction, turnover intention, work engagement and experiences of work-related burnout.

Method: Thirty-two Grade 2 occupational therapists completed an online survey involving demographics and measures of burnout, job satisfaction, professional identity, turnover intention, and job demands and resources. Eight participants were interviewed to further explore these concepts. Quantitative data were analyzed using Spearman's correlations and linear regression modelling. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

Results: A significant positive correlation was found between professional identity and job satisfaction (ρ = .516, p = .002), and a significant negative correlation was observed between professional identity and two burnout subscales: disengagement (ρ = -.533, p = .001) and exhaustion (ρ = -.507, p = .002). A regression model accounted for 39.2% of the variance of participants' professional identity (p = .002). Notable qualitative findings included the contributors to and preventers of staff turnover, implications of working in a discharge-driven environment, and importance of various coping strategies to mitigate the pressures of competing job demands.

Conclusion: This research contributes to the growing understanding of professional wellbeing amongst Grade 2 occupational therapists working in hospital environments, and the factors that contribute to and hinder their wellbeing.