Clinical psychologists and multi-disciplinary teams : an investigation into team/professional identification, job satisfaction and burnout in clinical psychologists

Boakes, Jon C. (1998). Clinical psychologists and multi-disciplinary teams : an investigation into team/professional identification, job satisfaction and burnout in clinical psychologists. PhD thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000e188

Abstract

Burnout and job satisfaction among 108 clinical psychologists working in multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), was explored in relation to perceived team climate, clarity of team and personal role, and professional and team identificaton. The study employed a cross-sectional within-group and between group design involving a quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore the relationship between variables.

Clinical psychologists reported high job satisfaction and high emotional exhaustion, and perceived team climate to be low on a number of aspects. Professional identification was higher than team identification, although team identification was strong. Team identification was associated with aspects of job satisfaction, but not burnout. Clarity regarding personal role in the team was positively associated with job satisfaction and negatively associated with emotional exhaustion. Clarity regarding the role of the team was associated with team identification and job satisfaction.

Multi-disciplinary team experience, experience as a psychologist, length of time and the number of sessions worked with the team, were not associated with team identification. Amount of contact with other psychologists was not associated with professional identification. Team climate was associated with job satisfaction and team identification.

The findings are discussed and the implications for services, clinical practice and clinical psychology training are addressed.