The Efficacy of A Local Chocolate Product on Prevalence of Burnout among Emergency Department Staff of St. Luke’s Medical Center

BACKGROUND: Emergency department is a highly stressful environment that predisposes emergency care staff to burnout. Burnout incidence is a factor of job performance and effectiveness decline that affects patients and co-workers. The study will use both Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Tedium Burnout Measure (TBM) to determine both prevalence of burnout and effectiveness of intervention for burnout individuals.

Objective: Prevalence of burnout among emergency room staff. Determination of the effectiveness of a locally produced chocolate as intervention for burnout patients.

Design: Cross sectional study using a validated instrument and questionnaire.

Methodology: All emergency care service personnel of St. Luke’s Medical Center-QC will be surveyed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) instrument and Tedium Burn out test. Around 150-200 pieces of chocolates with a net weight of 5- 6 gram will be provided for the consumption of the emergency room personnel during peak hours. Repeat survey will be done after 3 months. Data gathered will then be analyzed qualitatively and using descriptive statistics.

Results: Most personnel reported eating followed by sleeping and entertainment as most common coping strategies and activities done after duty. Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Service Survey scores for emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment showed no significant changes before and after the intervention however if the level of emotional exhaustion significantly improved after intervention. Tedium burnout test scores reported significant decreased after intervention.