Feel the Burn(out)
Recognising and managing symptoms of burnout.
Burnout in healthcare professionals is unfortunately increasing.
Ageing and ever-increasingly complex patients, coupled with bureaucratic and demanding organisational structures places a significant demand on clinicians wellness.
Compared to the general working population, where approximately 27% of people experience burnout, 70% of clinicians globally can experience symptoms of burnout at some point in their career.
A multifaceted and complex syndrome, there is currently no formal defined term for burnout symptoms. It has been hypothesised to be an internal reaction to external stressors, but individuals can experience very different symptoms.
Awareness and actively addressing symptoms early in their development is key to maintain your wellbeing as a practitioner.
Burnout syndrome is an umbrella term for a diverse range of symptoms. These can include;
- Depersonalisation
- Lack of professional achievement
- Anxiety
- Lack of motivation
- Mental Fatigue
Mentoring can play an important role in supporting you if you feel you may be developing burnout symptoms. Mentoring relationships help you develop self-confidence and improving coping skills.
It is important to note that whilst in most cases mentoring can be effective, for some you may need some additional help.
Below are some helpful resources if you do require some additional help;