THE EFFECTS OF WORK-RELATED AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS PROFESSION AND BURNOUT AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WORKING IN TURKIYE

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of burnout and attitude of physiotherapists towards profession and to examine variables that affect these levels. Methods: The research was conducted on physiotherapists working in different fields between November 2020 and February 2021. Professional attitude levels and burnout levels of physiotherapists were evaluated with “Attitude Scale towards physiotherapists Profession (ASP)” and “Burnout Scale-Short Form (BSSF)”, respectively. In addition, socio-demographic information of the physiotherapists; their institution, working days and hours, the physiotherapy field worked; their experience in the physiotherapy field, and perceived income adequacy were recorded.. All evaluation forms were prepared electronically with GoogleDocs and delivered to participants via social media and other communication options. Results: A total of 123 physiotherapists participated i this study. BSSF ranged from 1.20 to 6.40, while mean value was 3.44±1.14. Mean score of ASP total, professional satisfaction subscale, qualifications required by profession and general concerns about profession was 133.22±13.56; 71.33±8.28; 37.07±3.66; 24.82±3.65, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were found between burnout levels of physiotherapists and total score in the scale of attitude towards the profession (r=-0.519, p=0.001), professional satisfaction subscale (r=-0.509, p=0.001), qualifications required by the profession subscale (r=-0.374, p=0.001), profession-related concerns subscale (r=-0.397, p=0.001). Conclusions: It is important to examine attitudes of physiotherapists towards profession and variables that affect these attitudes. Examining variables that cause negative attitudes towards profession can provide rearrangement of these variables in a way that can lead to a positive attitude. This situation may result in an increase in professional success and satisfaction of physiotherapists.