Abstract

Dietetics preceptors are at risk for abandoning the role of preceptor because of potential burnout. Quantifying the prevalence of burnout and identifying the predictors of burnout can help key stakeholders identify and implement strategies that prevent or mitigate burnout in dietetics preceptors. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intern-related burnout in dietetics preceptors and to identify the predictors of this burnout. This study used a cross-sectional study design. A survey instrument that included burnout and precepting measures, and items about the respondents’ personal and work characteristics was distributed to a random sample of 10,000 dietetics professionals with a survey link emailed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy). Respondents who had precepted during the past year, were currently practicing, and living in the United States were included in the sample. During October and November of 2022, 355 preceptors responded to the survey. Intern-related burnout was measured using scores on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Respondents with a score of ?50 on the CBI were classified as experiencing moderate to high burnout. Moderate to high intern-related burnout was seen in 26% of preceptors. Predictors of intern-related burnout were identified using an analysis of covariance. For the categorical variable included in the model, pairwise Tukey analyses were used to determine differences in the categories. The predictive model for intern-related burnout included Commitment to the Preceptor Role (CPR) score, percentage of difficult students, feeling appreciated by the intern, Preceptor Perceptions of Support (PPS) score, and number of students precepted in the past year. While the majority of preceptors were not classified in the category of moderate to high intern-related burnout, it is important to continue exploring the experiences of the quarter of preceptors who do. The results of this study suggest that to prevent intern-related burnout, key stakeholders should encourage strategies that foster commitment to the preceptor role, reduce the percentage of difficult students that preceptors encounter, increase the degree to which preceptors feel appreciated by interns, increase support and empowerment of preceptors, and limit the number of students that individual preceptors are asked to host over the course of a year.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

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