QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS - BURNOUT AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN HIV AIDS-RELATED CARE

Health care professionals working in HIV/AIDS are dedicated to providing quality care for their clients. They also need to care for themselves. This study examines why burnout occurs and how it may be prevented in the care of clients with HIV/AIDS. The sample of Australian HIV/AIDS health care professionals (n = 84), consisted of 54 nurses, 16 doctors and 14 social workers. Respondents were divided into groups on the basis of their burnout scores. Members of the High Burnout group had higher levels of Anxiety, Stress and Stigma, were more likely to use External Coping Strategies and higher amounts of Tangible Support than members of the Low Burnout group. Subjects in the Low Burnout group were more likely to use Internal Coping Strategies, had greater Affiliation with the Gay Community, experienced greater Support Belonging and Relationship Satisfaction and Social Recognition and Reward than their counterparts in the High Burnout group. Support and job-related rewards may buffer and prevent experiences of burnout. Programmes to prevent burnout should include the teaching of coping skills and relaxation skills and should foster staff support and recognition.