Physician burnout: Signs and solutions
From awareness to advocacy, here’s what you need to know to prevent burnout from taking hold.
On a personal level, it’s important to identify stressors and employ stress-reduction and coping skills, such as mindfulness and/or reflection.21 Mindfulness programs may help to minimize exhaustion, increase compassion, and improve understanding of other people’s feelings.22 Such programs are widely available and may be accessed through the Internet, mental health centers, or by contacting psychiatric or psychological services.
Other self-care methods include ensuring adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, and enjoyable activities. If a physician who is suffering from burnout is taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs or supplements, it is important to be self-aware of the potential for misuse of medications. Of course, one should never self-prescribe controlled drugs, such as opiates and sedatives. Consumption of alcohol must be well-controlled, without excesses, and drinking near bedtime is ill-advised. The use of illegal substances should be avoided.
Pursuing aspects of health care that are meaningful and that increase patient contact time can boost enthusiasm, as can focusing on the positives aspects of one’s career.23 Continuing medical education can enhance self-esteem and promote a sense of purpose.24
Peer support. Practice partners may assist their colleagues by alerting them to signs of burnout, offering timely intervention suggestions, and monitoring the effectiveness of strategies. Physicians should discuss stress and burnout with their peers; camaraderie within a practice group is helpful.
Professional coaches or counselors may be engaged to mitigate workplace distress. Coaching is best instituted collegially with pre-identified goals in order to minimize stigmatization.
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