Thank you for participating in the brief survey on well-being that we circulated in November 2025. We appreciate your perspective! The results are shared below. To better understand the interests of our community on this topic, we will be taking additional steps to gather members’ input. First, please join an informal Community Connections group discussion on ombuds well-being on April 28 and/or April 29. Registration information for members is available here. Please contact Julie Muroff, IOA’s lead contact for this initiative, with any questions: [email protected]
Results from November 2025 Well-being Survey
(1) Overall, based on your definition of burnout, how would you rate your level of burnout? Select only 1 answer from the 5 choices below:**
i. I enjoy my work. I have no symptoms of burnout. 56 ( >22%)
ii. Occasionally I am under stress, and I don’t always have as much energy as I once did, but I don’t feel burned out. 128 ( >51%)
iii. I am definitely burning out and have one or more symptoms of burnout, such as physical and emotional exhaustion. 53 (21%)
iv. The symptoms of burnout that I’m experiencing won’t go away. I think about frustration at work a lot. 7 ( <3%)
v. I feel completely burned out and often wonder if I can go on. I am at a point where I may need some changes or may need to seek some sort of help. 5 (2%)
n= 249
(2) Related to your answer to the question above, do you believe that your performance at work may be, or already has been, impacted in any negative way? Select only 1 answer from the 3 choices below.
i. Yes, my work performance may be impacted in a negative way. 72 (29%)
ii. Yes, my work performance already has been impacted in a negative way. 30 (12%)
iii. No, I do not believe that my work performance may be, or already has been, impacted in any negative way. 147 (59%)
n= 249
(3) Regardless of your answers to the questions above, select only 1 answer from the 2 choices below:
i. I have concerns about the current state of my well-being. 86 (35%)
ii. I do not have concerns about the current state of my well-being. 162 (65%)
n= 248
(4) Regardless of your answers to the questions above, select only 1 answer from the 2 choices below:
i. The current state of well-being among ombuds practitioners is a cause for concern. 159 (67%)
The current state of well-being among ombuds practitioners is not a cause for concern. 77 (33%)
n= 236
**Question 1 is the non-proprietary single-item burnout measure from: Dolan, E. D., Mohr, D., Lempa, M., Joos, S., Fihn, S. D., Nelson, K. M., & Helfrich, C. D. (2015). Using a single item to measure burnout in primary care staff: a psychometric evaluation. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 30(5), 582–587. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-014-3112-6
Thank you for this important research, Julie. I hope this brief report signals the start of a vital dialogue across our profession. What we know about burnout is that it often develops beneath the surface of our conscious awareness. Because of this, its full impact can arrive suddenly and without clear warning. The data here is compelling: it points to a clear need for all of us to be more mindful, intentional, and proactive in how we structure our work and safeguard our well-being. Let’s use these insights not only as a mirror but as a catalyst for discussing what we need to do to set ourselves up for greater health, resilience, and success. What do others think?
Thank you for this important research, Julie. I hope this brief report signals the start of a vital dialogue across our profession. What we know about burnout is that it often develops beneath the surface of our conscious awareness. Because of this, its full impact can arrive suddenly and without clear warning. The data here is compelling: it points to a clear need for all of us to be more mindful, intentional, and proactive in how we structure our work and safeguard our well-being. Let’s use these insights not only as a mirror but as a catalyst for discussing what we need to do to set ourselves up for greater health, resilience, and success. What do others think?