Defined as the physical and mental exhaustion brought about by excessive stress from work, burnout is a relatively common concern in many fields, especially the healthcare sector. In particular, physicians often experience it due to their position’s stressful nature. Consequently, incidences of physician burnout have been growing in the last few years.
One study 1http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1351351 found that over 40% out of 7,000 physicians reported experiencing symptoms of burnout. Many cite long hours and administrative tasks to be primary contributing factors. Unfortunately, burnout can be detrimental not only to the health and wellness of doctors but also to their ability to provide quality care for their patients. For this reason, it's crucial to find ways to prevent it at all costs, and below are some tips that should help.
Consider locum tenens work
Many physicians choose to work in locums, and it isn't hard to see why. It offers many advantages over a traditional career, ranging from more opportunities to earn to the freedom of traveling. More importantly, becoming a locum tenens practitioner will also give you more scheduling flexibility, allowing you to achieve a healthier work-and-life balance. Best of all, locum tenens companies can benefit you, whether you’re a new or seasoned physician.
Manage your time properly
One of the reasons why so many physicians experience burnout is time pressure. After all, there's only so much time in a day. And with all of their responsibilities, who can blame them? The good news is that you can lessen the workload with some excellent time management practices. Learning to prioritize tasks, create a planner for your day-to-day activities, block distractions, and set reminders. It may sound simple, but you'll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make.
Set boundaries
Physicians often spend so much time and energy on the health and well-being of their patients that their concerns go unresolved. Don't fall into the same trap, and always set boundaries. For example, avoid checking work-related emails and messages once your shift has ended. Instead, use your time outside work to rest or engage in enjoyable activities. When you can, spend time in good company, like family members and friends. It will go a long way in keeping you from being overwhelmed by work-related stress.
Make time for exercise
All health professionals understand the importance of regular exercise. Beyond keeping our bodies fit and strong, it also helps improve our immune systems and reduce the risks of developing diseases and conditions. Moreover, it can also lower stress. Thus, it would be best if you always made time for exercise, no matter how full your schedule is.
Conclusion
While it’s often taken for granted, burnout is a serious problem that must be addressed quickly, as it can cause problems in more ways than one. Fortunately, you can lessen the risks of physician burnout by adopting the healthy practices listed above. And in doing so, you’ll be able to be more productive with your work and satisfied with the job.
Additional resources and citations
- 1http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1351351
The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.
