Deconstructing Burnout in HIV Service Providers

Health care and social service work with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is well documented as stressful. Worker burnout due to job stress can lead to poorer quality services. To examine the levels and types of burnout in HIV/AIDS care providers, a mixed methods online survey was administered to 53 providers in North Carolina. The survey included the standardized Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Scale along with qualitative questions. The survey showed that these providers had moderate levels of the three elements of burnout. Analysis of the qualitative responses to questions about their work revealed many obstacles to worker satisfaction.