Dealing with Physician Burnout

Dealing with physician burnout is something most medical students and doctors should learn early on in their careers. Physician burnout is when a healthcare professional experiences emotional exhaustion, a sense of depersonalization, and diminished perceptions of personal accomplishment. Burnout is not to be confused with depression, which is a constant state of low mood and de-motivation that pervades all aspects of a person’s life. Burnout is often work-related and is more likely to occur in high-stress, high-pressure careers than in laid-back, slow-paced careers. It’s hardly surprising that physicians are at higher risk for getting burned out, as they are responsible for caring for the sick, advancing medical knowledge, promoting public health, and teaching what they know to the next generation of doctors.

Who Are Likely to Experience Physician Burnout?

All physicians are candidates for physician burnout, but there are a few specific risk factors that make some more likely to develop it than others. According to a study, physicians who are young, lack role clarity, and have a perceived inadequacy of resources are more likely to experience physician burn-out than others. It is also possible that physicians who got burned out early in their careers have already quit their jobs, which can explain why physician burnout occurs far less in older physicians. Studies show that physician burnout is also associated to workload and high emotional exhaustion, especially in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics.

The Consequences of Physician Burnout

Not much research has been done on the consequences of physician burnout, but some studies suggest that its primary effect is loss of job satisfaction that continues to progress. A study shows that burned out physicians are more likely to reduce clinic hours or consider changing careers completely. In some cases, physician burnout is associated to a major depressive disorder; burned-out physicians are more likely to self-report a major depressive episode than those who aren’t. However, even psychologically healthy physicians are at risk of physician burnout if they overwork and fail to take care of themselves.

Dealing with physician burnout

A recent study reveals that physicians are less likely to experience physician burnout if they spend some time doing what they think is the most meaningful aspect of their profession. In this study, 556 physicians answered surveys that asked them about what they considered meaningful about their work. Over half said it was patient care, 19% said research, 9% said education, and 3% said administration. Around 88% of the participants spent at least one day a week dedicated to the activity they found most meaningful, and the study notes that these were the ones who felt less burned out than others.

So the next time your work brings you down and makes you feel emotionally exhausted, reflect on the aspect of your job that brings the most personal satisfaction to you. Is it teaching? Consider becoming a part-time faculty member at your medical school. Is it research? Write a research proposal on a healthcare issue that interests you and apply for a research grant. Focusing on the aspects of your work that gives the most meaning will not only benefit your personal well-being and your career – it’ll help your patients too.