Exploring the Impact of Health Coaching on Burnout Prevention and Recovery in Healthcare Workers

Project Description

Burnout among healthcare workers has emerged as a concern, impacting not only the mental and physical health of clinicians but also the quality of patient care. The emotional, psychological, and physical demands of healthcare roles have led to high rates of burnout, characterized by exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout is linked to increased absenteeism, reduced job performance, staff turnover, and lower patient satisfaction, creating a cycle that negatively affects both healthcare providers and patients.

Despite growing recognition of burnout as a significant issue, research into the underlying causes, consequences, and effective interventions remains limited, particularly within specific healthcare settings or among certain professional groups. This study also seeks to deepen the understanding of burnout in healthcare, exploring its multifaceted nature.

Health coaching, a client-centred, goal-oriented practice grounded in positive psychology supports individuals in making sustainable lifestyle and behavioural changes. Health coaching has emerged as a promising approach to improving overall well-being, particularly through facilitating behaviour change, enhancing self-efficacy, and promoting resilience. Studies on health coaching in other domains (e.g., chronic disease management) suggest that it can lead to positive health outcomes, including reduced stress and improved quality of life. Evidence is growing to acknowledge health coaching as a potential intervention for managing stress and reducing risk of burnout.

This research aims to explore the causes and consequences of burnout in health care workers and consider how health coaching can be applied as an intervention aimed at managing and recovering from burnout.