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ABSTRACT
Because hospice is still considered a fairly new and innovative concept in the United States (Munley, 1983; Torrens, 1984), attempts to provide a systematic method of identifying factors leading to and mediating burnout have been limited. This article reviews existing literature on job stress and burnout among those who care for the terminally ill. Drawing from this research, a model of stress and burnout specific to hospice caregivers is presented. The model identifies stressors salient to hospice workers, as well as individual and institutional differences that affect their perceptions of, and ability to cope with, job stress. Implications for future research and applications of the model to hospice programs are discussed.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Eileen Berlin Ray
Eileen Berlin Ray, PhD, is currently on the faculty of Cleveland State University, Department of Communication, Cleveland, OH 44115. Her research focuses on issues in organizational and health communication. She has published numerous articles on stress and burnout.
Michael R. Nichols
Michael R. Nichols, PhD, is Director of the Counseling and Testing Center at the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on emotional and cognitive development in the college years and on health psychology.
Lea J. Perritt
Lea J. Perritt, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice and a part-time faculty member in the Department of Allied Health Education and Research at the University of Kentucky. Her research focuses on job satisfaction, psychosocial aspects of illness, and health care ethics.