The role of therapy in reducing the risk of job burnout – a systematic review of literature

The growing number of publications regarding the influence of different forms of therapy on reducing the risk of job burnout affecting various social groups, causes the need to assess and systematise the available knowledge. Three electronic databases were searched. The search period was between the years 2000 and 2015. The inclusion criteria included the influence of the selected form of therapy on reduction of the risk of job burnout. Of the 235 selected articles, 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. In 77.3% of publications the job burnout syndrome was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). In addition, researchers also used De Utrechtse Burnout Schaal (UBOS) questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Dutch Version (MBI-NL), while some authors created and used their own questionnaire. The most commonly used form of therapy was Mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural therapy. As the choice of methodology varies significantly in different studies, it is difficult to attempt an objective comparison between them. In most publications (64.64%) the authors managed to achieve the intended reduction of burnout. It is necessary that studies on the burnout phenomenon begin to include research projects treating the study group in a multidimensional, biopsychosocial (taking into account factors of biological and psychological nature with an accompanying social reflection) manner