Burnout- what it is and how to manage it
Although a career in healthcare is highly sought after and overall rewarding, there is one area that has gained increasing interest and concern: Burnout. This is usually related to an imbalance of work-life balance.
Burnout was recently added to ICD-11 coding by the WHO and defined as:
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
Reduced professional efficacy.
There is a common misconception that burnout is only an issue for physicians, however burnout seems to be widespread amongst healthcare fields. Overall burnout has been intensified by the covid-19 pandemic (nearly 50% of physicians) and has revealed a need to address this phenomenon.
There is a common thought that this is only an issue for physicians, however burnout seems to be widespread amongst healthcare fields.
How can you mitigate the presence and effects of burnout while in school?
All of the tests, quizzes, and papers are out of your control. You and your classmates are all going through the same thing, lean on them. Find your group of 2-3 classmates that have similar study habits and help each other learn and memorize the material. Will you always do well on each test? Probably not, but at the end of the day as long as you understand the material, GRADUATE, and pass the boards, that is the big picture. No one cares about your grades once you work in healthcare. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to be your best, but what you shouldn’t do is compare yourself to others. Lastly, try to enjoy yourself. Yes you will be studying most weekends, but find some time each week to do something you enjoy. This will greatly help you to avoid being burnt out.
What to do if you are already experiencing burnout
If you are already experiencing work or school related burnout, you are probably feeling stuck or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone, especially in the healthcare field. I know at times I have felt burnt out at work after seeing more patients than I have time to adequately take care of. This made me overwhelmed and exhausted. My first step to combat burnout was to pause and reflect. Remove yourself from the stressful environment, write down things that could be leading to your burnout, and then focus on the top three that seem to be most pressing. If you have a trustworthy co-worker or supervisor do not be afraid to discuss these factors with them. If they do not sympathize with you or seek to resolve these issues that is a sign that your job or current situation is not a healthy one to be in.
Once you have discussed these with a trusted person here are some other techniques you can try:
On days off, do do things you enjoy and reduce your stress
Exercise, do what you enjoy (not everyone is a runner)
Focus on your sleep hygiene
Look for ways that you can help others in your class or workplace to reduce their own burnout
Consider finding a mentor or a therapist that you can confide in
Ensure you are eating a healthy diet
Should this deter me from pursuing a career in healthcare?
Short Answer….NO! A career in healthcare is still one of the best decisions you can make. Not everyone’s personality is susceptible to burnout. However, being aware of the potential of burnout is important to be able to combat against and avoid factors that lead to your personal burnout triggers. If you ever need help or advice dealing with burnout, feel free to email us and we would be happy to guide you through this.