The Sustainability Challenge in NHS Psychological Professionals. Understanding and Correlating the Experiences of Stress, Burnout and Workforce Retention.

Stinton, Megan Esther Clare (2025) The Sustainability Challenge in NHS Psychological Professionals. Understanding and Correlating the Experiences of Stress, Burnout and Workforce Retention. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Workforce shortages and staff burnout present an ongoing, persistent challenge in the National Health Service (NHS; Deakin, 2022). This research aimed to understand the factors correlating to stress and burnout among NHS Psychological Professionals (PPs), particularly focusing on the early-career experiences of clinical psychologists (CPs) and the employment decision-making factors influencing their choices to stay, split, or leave NHS employment. A systematic review identified four papers and indicated that compassion fatigue is the strongest correlate of burnout in trainee PPs, while psychological job demands are the strongest correlate for qualified PPs. The interconnectedness of correlates was also examined, as they rarely exist in isolation. An empirical study was then conducted. Eighteen early-career clinical psychologists (ECCPs) completed one-to-one interviews. Using Braun & Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis (RTA; Braun & Clarke, 2022), the study identified four interconnected and perpetuating themes: The Wounded Healer: The Emotional Toll, Values: The Moral Toll, (Mis)Understanding the role of a Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Barriers. The portfolio sheds light on the multiple challenges NHS PPs and, specifically, ECCPs face, including psychological job demands, moral injury, burnout inevitability, misunderstanding and devaluation of their role and being a sole clinician, resulting in employment decision-making away from the NHS to foster career longevity. Changes to PP training routes are reflected in the context of the evidence base to better support trainees. The strengths and limitations of both studies were considered. Future research, utilising a longitudinal approach and exploring training experiences on influencing employment decision-making, to continue adding to the scarce evidence base in this crucial area of PPs’ workforce sustainability.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2025 11:03
Last Modified:	30 Oct 2025 11:03
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100855
DOI:

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