Occupational Factors Associated With Burnout Among a Sample of 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators in Washington State

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Sep 1;66(9):e392-e396. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003162. Epub 2024 Jul 17.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate occupational factors associated with burnout among a sample of 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators (PSTs).

Methods: An online survey measuring organizational factors (ie, perceived visibility and inclusion in the agency, respectful culture, leadership support, perceived gratitude, and coworker conflict); job characteristic s (ie, work-life integration, overtime, salary satisfaction, and job meaningfulness); and burnout, demographic, and call center characteristics was emailed to a sample of PSTs.

Analysis: Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to characterize the sample and investigate relationships among variables.

Results: PSTs (N = 324) completed the survey. Multivariate analysis showed that poor work-life integration and coworker conflict were associated with greater PST burnout, while job meaningfulness and perceptions of greater visibility and inclusion were linked to decreased levels of burnout.

Conclusion: Occupational factors were associated with burnout among PSTs.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burnout, Professional* / epidemiology
  • Burnout, Professional* / psychology
  • Call Centers
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telecommunications
  • Washington / epidemiology
  • Work-Life Balance