Morning Report: Physician Burnout

Today’s Morning Report is courtesy of Dr. Grock!

Burnout

Definition: Syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of low personal accomplishment that leads to decreased effectiveness at work (Shanfelt, et al, American Journal of Medicine, 115, 2003).

Guess what: doctors are burned out. This year – 46% of residents qualified as burned out according to the Medscape Physician Lifestyle Report (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/838437)

This is bad. The combination of Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished sense of self accomplishment can lead to worse patient care, physician suicide, and decreased job satisfaction.

Worried you’re burned out?

Check out Maslach Burnout Inventory (http://www.aagbi.org/sites/default/files/Maslach%20ScoringAbbreviated.pdf)

Or the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (https://web2.bma.org.uk/drs4drsburn.nsf/quest?OpenForm)

Causes of Physician Burnout?

Bureaucratic tasks, too many hours at work, decreased pay, increased computerization

So what do you do about this?

First off, almost half of physicians are burned out. You are not alone. Consider burn-out a three tiered scale: no burnout, mild burnout, and severe burnout. Over days to weeks, a physician will fluctuate up and down on this scale. The first goal is to be aware of where you are on this scale. Recognizing mild burnout is extremely important as at this stage you have the chance to decrease your burnout level. This prevents the worst outcome: severe burnout.

Once recognized, here are some tips/tricks that most mothers would recommend.

1. Intentionally putting off projects/ setting limits on work

2. Spending time with family/friends

3. Sleeping/exercising/relaxing

4. Doing activities that you enjoy.

We had a rousing discussion of various techniques that included: being mindful of the good things that happen during a shift, post shift meals/drinks with co-residents, being outside, and many more.

What are your burnout improving tools? Add your comments below!