Protective Factors for Social Workers in a Medical Setting that Prevent Burnout

의료사회복지사를 소진으로부터 보호하는 요인은 무엇인가?

This study is to find out factors that protect social workers in a medical setting from burnout. It is differentiated from the existing studies, which focused on factors or process causing burnout. The participants of the study were ten social workers, who have been working in a medical setting for at least seven years and were recognized as competent social workers by at least five other colleagues. The data were collected through intensive interviews. The contents of the interviews were analyzed by using Nvivo2, a computer software program for use qualitative study analysis. The result of this study categorized coping strategies that kept the social workers from burnout. Among such factors were their own admissions of having professional competency, feeling worthwhile and sense of accomplishment, having a firm belief system and value about their profession, teamwork, and their overall disposition. Additionally, they said that the support by their agency and the recognition and support by family contributed to their overall coping ability. Through this study, it was found that the social workers in medical setting were reducing risk factors related to burnout and overcoming them with various protective factors. These protective factors reflected the unique characteristics that social workers encounter in a medical setting. It was remarkable that 'developing and managing their professional competency' was emphasized most as a protective factor.

본 연구는 사회복지사의 소진에 대해 그 유발 요인이나 과정에 집중해온 기존 연구들과 달리 의료사회복지사를 소진으로부터 보호하는 요인을 알아보기 위한 연구이다. 이를 위하여 7년 이상의 실무경력을 가진 의료사회복지사 중 동료들로부터 유능하다고 인정받은 10명의 사회복지사들을 대상으로 심층 면접을 하고 그 내용을 질적분석 컴퓨터소프트웨어인 Nvivo2를 활용하여 분석하였다. 그 결과 '전문적 역량', '성취와 보람', '일에 대한 확고한 가치와 신념', '좋은 팀워크', '개인적 자질', '구조적 뒷받침', '가족의 인정과 지원'의 소진보호요인들을 도출하였다. 이러한 결과는 그동안 소진연구의 부수적 결과로 다뤄져온 소진보호요인을 총체적으로 제시하는 것으로서, 의료사회복지사들이 다양한 기제를 활용하여 소진의 위험을 감소시키고 소진을 극복하고 있음을 보여주는 것이다. 이들 소진보호요인은 의료세팅이라는 특수성을 반영하고 있으며, 특히 전문적 역량의 개발 및 관리가 강조된다는 것이 특징적이었다.