A study investigated burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction among oral health professionals treating traumatized and vulnerable patients.
Quick information
⏱️ Reading time: 60 seconds
📂 Category: Evidence
🏷️ Tags: severe dental anxiety, professional well-being
The finding
The study aimed to investigate burnout (BO), secondary traumatic stress (STS), and compassion satisfaction (CS) among Norwegian oral health professionals working with traumatized and vulnerable patients.
The Professional Quality of Life-5 (ProQOL-5) scale was used to assess these dimensions. Organizational and psychosocial work factors were measured using the Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work.
Results
Participants (n = 114) reported moderate levels across the three dimensions:
- 62.6% scored moderate for secondary traumatic stress (STS)
- 47.4% for burnout (BO)
- 38.6% for compassion satisfaction (CS)
Poor work-life balance was associated with lower levels of compassion satisfaction and higher levels of secondary traumatic stress and burnout.
Workplace support was associated with positive outcomes in all three dimensions.
Conclusion
The authors concluded that psychosocial factors within the work environment contribute more to occupational strain than the direct challenges of working with traumatized or vulnerable patients.
They highlight the importance of including oral health professionals in broader discussions about supporting professionals who work with vulnerable populations, as well as addressing organizational conditions together with individual support.
Source
Professional quality of life among Norwegian oral health professionals working with torture and abuse survivors and patients with severe dental anxiety
Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
🔗 https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaodontologica/article/view/45422