O4
USING A HEALTH SURVEILLANCE MODEL TO PREVENT AND MANAGE OCCUPATIONAL BURNOUT
A.Dovey1, M. Swift2
1Working Minds UK and University of Liverpool School of Health Science and Well-Being, Birmingham, UK
2Working Minds UK, Birmingham, UK
Background
Occupational burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach et al., 1996). It is distinct from depression, which is more pervasive, and is recognized by the World Health Organization (2019) as an occupational syndrome rather than a clinical condition. Viewing burnout as a process rather than a set of symptoms allows for early intervention strategies to be developed by occupational health professionals, employers, and employees.
Methods
This study explores the implementation of the Clinical Occupational Psychology Enhancement Survey (COP-ES), a 15-item screening tool developed by Alan Dovey and Mike Swift in collaboration within a blue light service and a large UK-based manufacturer. The survey, grounded in validated psychological measures, is distributed via a secure online portal, ensuring informed consent and confidentiality. Participants receive individualized feedback based on their risk profile (low, moderate, or high), with high-risk individuals triaged to occupational health professionals for further evaluation.
Results
Over 250 surveillance questionnaires have been conducted, demonstrating a positive correlation between early screening and the effective identification of mental health concerns in the workplace. The scale has also been correlated with existing wellness measures, further validating the surveillance tool. The findings suggest that systematic monitoring can facilitate timely intervention, mitigating the impact of burnout.
Implications for Practice
The proactive identification and management of occupational burnout require a collaborative approach between employees and employers. Early detection through structured surveillance can improve mental health outcomes and workplace well-being.
References:
1) Maslach, C., Jackson, S.E. and Leiter, M.P. (1996), MBI: The Maslach Burnout Inventory: Manual, Consulting Psychologists Press, Palo Alto, CA.
2) Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon” World Health Organization:
28 May 2019 Departmental update
3) Ruotsalainen, JH., Verbeek JH et al. Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015;
4) Ballard, J. Occupational Health at Work 2019; 16(2): 19–27
