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Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 1/2019

01-01-2019 | Original Article

Professional Burnout of Psychiatrists in a Veterans Health Administration: Exploring the Role of the Organizational Treatment

Authors: Margo C. Villarosa-Hurlocker, Lisa-Ann J. Cuccurullo, Hector A. Garcia, Erin P. Finley

Published in: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Psychiatrists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) are susceptible to professional burnout due to the unique needs of veterans combined with high organizational demands. The current study examined the mediating role of organizational factors in the direct relationship between providing primarily pharmacological intervention and professional burnout. Data from 125 VHA psychiatrists revealed that fair treatment by superiors and sufficient resources independently mediated the direct relationship that the percent of time devoted to pharmacological intervention had with emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Psychiatrists who feel unfairly treated and lack sufficient resources reported more professional burnout. Implications and future directions are discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Professional Burnout of Psychiatrists in a Veterans Health Administration: Exploring the Role of the Organizational Treatment
Authors
Margo C. Villarosa-Hurlocker
Lisa-Ann J. Cuccurullo
Hector A. Garcia
Erin P. Finley
Publication date
01-01-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0894-587X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3289
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-018-0879-5

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