The Impact of Burnout among Occupational Therapists on Patient Satisfaction at King Abdulaziz Medical City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between burnout among occupational therapists and patient satisfaction at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh.

Study Design: A cross-sectional correlational study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia from 20 March 2025 to 20 May 2025

Methodology: This study was conducted among 16 occupational therapists and 160 patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Therapist burnout was assessed using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), while patient satisfaction was evaluated using Monnin and Perneger’s patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between occupational therapist burnout and patient satisfaction (r = −0.63, p = 0.009), indicating that higher burnout levels were associated with lower patient satisfaction. Overall, 68.75% of occupational therapists reported high or very high levels of burnout, with a mean BAT score of 3.42 ± 1.12. Despite the high prevalence of burnout, overall patient satisfaction remained high, with a mean score of 4.62 ± 0.31. Patient satisfaction scores were significantly lower among patients treated by therapists with very high burnout compared with those treated by therapists with average or high burnout levels.

Conclusion: Higher levels of burnout among occupational therapists were significantly associated with lower patient satisfaction. Although overall patient satisfaction remained high, the findings suggest that severe therapist burnout may negatively influence patients’ experiences of care. Organizational strategies aimed at reducing occupational burnout and supporting therapist well-being may therefore contribute to maintaining and improving patient-centered rehabilitation services.