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Strategies for maintaining resilience to the burnout threat

Professional burnout is a constant threat because the attributes that make physicians successful also put us at risk. Some simple, lifestyle-changing tools, however, can reverse the risk.
OBG Management. 2016 October;28(10):17,18,20,22,23
September 28, 2016|OBG Management
Roger P. Smith, MD
Author and Disclosure Information


Dr. Smith is Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Clinical Biologic Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.

The author reports no financial relationships relevant to this article.

In this Article

  • Symptoms by stage of burnout
  • Tips to reduce stress and burnout
  • Who is most at risk for burnout?

Approaches for burnout control and prevention

There are some simple steps we can take to reduce the risk of burnout or to reverse its effects. Because fatigue and stress are 2 of the greatest risk factors, reducing these is a good place to start.

Prioritize sleep. When it comes to fatigue, that one is easy: get some sleep. Physicians tend to sleep fewer hours than the general population and what we get is often not the type that is restful and restorative.14 Just reducing the number of hours worked is not enough, as a number of studies have found.15 The rest must result in relaxation.

e Stress reduction may seem a more difficult goal than getting more sleep. In reality, there are several simple approaches to use to reduce stress:

  • Even though we all have busy clinical schedules, take short breaks to rest, sing, laugh, and exercise. Even breaks as short as 10 minutes can be effective.16
  • Separate work from private life by taking a short break to resolve issues before heading home. Avoiding “baggage” or homework will go a long way to giving you the perspective you need from your time off. This may also mean that you have to delegate tasks, share chores, or get carry-out for dinner.
  • Set meaningful and realistic goals for yourself professionally and personally. Do not expect or demand more than is possible. This will mean setting priorities and recognizing that some tasks may have to wait.
  • Finally, do not forget to pay yourself with hobbies and activities that you enjoy.

Take action

If you feel the effects of burnout tugging at your coattails, you can reduce the effects, deal with the sources, and improve your attitude (TABLE 5). Rest and relaxation will go a long way to helping, but do not forget to take care of your physical well-being with a healthy diet, exercise, and health checkups. Deal with the sources of burnout by identifying the stressors, setting realistic priorities, and practicing good time management.

You also should lobby for changes that will increase your control and reduce unnecessary obstacles to completing your goals. Be your own best advocate. Look for the good and try to identify at least one instance during the day where your presence or acts made a difference. In the end, it is like Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent burnout.”

Share your thoughts! Send your Letter to the Editor to rbarbieri@frontlinemedcom.com. Please include your name and the city and state in which you practice.

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