Understanding Burnout in Healthcare
Many believe that burnout is simply something which we must accept, with no real options for prevention or relief. However, burnout is extremely harmful to individuals who experience it, and it threatens to negatively impact anyone who works in or interfaces with the healthcare system. There are consequences to well-being, job satisfaction, retention of the work force, patient experience and other system costs. Moreover, research indicates that those in healthcare are impacted by burnout more than those who work in other industries. If you have concerns about burnout symptoms in yourself or a colleague, contact the Mass General Brigham Employee Assistance Program at 866-724-4327.
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Burnout is not a diagnosis but rather a combination of symptoms:
- Exhaustion
- Cynicism and detachment
- Loss of ability to empathize and connect
- Feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment
The practical translation of this definition is that individuals who are committed to caring for others are not able to do so as effectively and efficiently as possible, and they are unable to thrive personally and professionally.
Burnout is the result of a combination of factors and there are different pathways that ultimately lead to burnout for different individuals. Some of the factors identified in the literature are as follows:
- Administrative and technical burden, particularly navigating EMR systems
- Workload
- Process inefficiencies
- Lack of control over work
- New payment models
- Not being able to operate at license/training level
- Publicly reported quality metrics
- Repeated exposure to helping families with stressful decisions
- Complicated ethical issues
- Clinical futility
- Patient suffering
- Diminished or inadequate time and space to meet with colleagues
- Work/life balance
No one is Immune to the Potential Effects of Burnout
Whether you are a medical provider, other type of employee, co-worker, part of leadership, a patient or family member, you may be impacted by burnout in the healthcare workforce. A growing body of literature shows the impacts in Physician and Nurse populations.
- Increased anxiety, depression and suicidality
- Increased substance use/misuse
- Other physical health impacts – headaches, cardiac, digestive, blood pressure
- Negative impact on healthy life-style – sleep, nutrition, exercise, interest in hobbies
- Negative impact on relationships inside and outside of work
- Job impacts – impaired job performance, decreased perception of job performance, dissatisfaction with job, absenteeism, job changes
- Decreased quality and poor patient safety outcomes
- Increased medical errors, healthcare associated infections, negative 30-day mortality rates
- Morale
- Operations/productivity
- Quality ratings
- Financial stability
- Turnover costs
- 7 billion attributed annually to hospital-employed physician turnover
- The cost of replacing a PCP or specialist ranges from $100,000 to $300,000
- One study found that the yearly productivity loss attributable to burnout may be equivalent to eliminating the graduating classes of 7 medical schools
Burnout manifests differently in different people and some of the burnout symptoms might be indicative of other conditions or co-occurring conditions, such as compassion fatigue, relationship concerns at home, financial stressors or other mental health concerns. Regardless of the cause, further exploration should be triggered when symptoms are persistent and/or cumulative. For further assistance, please contact the EAP at 866-724-4327.
If you are concerned about a colleague, consider the RUOK program as a way to check-in.
- Physical Symptoms
Physical pain, headaches, chest pain, digestive issues, weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, interrupted sleep, substance use disorders - Psychological/Emotional Symptoms
Anxiety, depression, suicidality, anger/irritability - Job Symptoms
Loss of enjoyment, detachment, apathy, performance problems - Tools to Measure Burnout
Burnout is not a diagnosis but rather a cluster of symptoms. When these symptoms accumulate and/or are persistent, this should generate concern. There are many instruments constructed to measure burnout or symptoms related to burnout. The most commonly used instrument is the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which is a validated, reliable and has 22 self-report questions. Some MGB hospitals have used abridged versions of the Maslach. Click here to view the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Abbreviated)
- Remember you are not the only one experiencing these types of challenges and stresses
- Talk to someone-family, friend, colleague, mentor, unit director
- Consider letting leadership know about your concerns about burnout – maybe there are opportunities for assessment and improvement on a clinic or department level
- Your department or institution may offer assistance, available via targeted programs or grants. Some options may include initiatives around wellness programs, coaching or career development, reducing administrative burden and Epic training
- The EAP is always here to help
- Practicing a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate some of the effects of burnout.
- Familiarize yourself with the warning signs of a potential developing or existing issue with burnout
- No need to diagnose
- Don’t be afraid to approach a colleague to register your concern
- Just ask “How are you doing?” if you are concerned. You find helpful guidance from the R U OK? program
- If your colleague rebukes or avoids you, at least you have tried, and it might help to plant a seed for later
- Let your colleague know you are available to listen if they need a friend or sounding board
- Validate your colleague’s experience, as research shows that your colleague is not alone in being a healthcare worker with stress or burnout symptoms
- Encourage your colleague to seek help
- Let your colleague know that systems interventions are available within Mass General Brigham and your institution. Burnout is not something that anyone needs to face alone
- Let your colleague know that the EAP is available to help
- AMA Steps Forward. Physician Wellness: Preventing Resident and Fellow Burnout: Create a Holistic, Supportive Culture of Wellness.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Healthcare Professional Burnout, Depression and Suicide Prevention.
- Ashish J.K. et al, (2019) A Crisis in Healthcare: A Call to Action on Physician Burnout: Partnership with the Massachusetts Medical Society, Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Harvard Global Health Institute.
- Hall, L.H. et al. (2016) Healthcare Staff Wellbeing, Burnout, and Patient Safety: A Systematic Review. PLoS One.
- Kane, L. (2019) Medscape National Physician Burnout, Depression & Suicide Report. Medscape.
- Mayo Clinic News Network. (2016) Reversing Physician Burnout, Using Nine Strategies to Promote Well-being.
- Mylod, D.E. and Lee, T.H. (2018) Helping Health Care Workers Avoid Burnout (2018). Harvard Business Review.
- National Academy of Medicine. Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being and Resilience.
- Smith, C.D. et al. (2018) Implementing Team-Based Care to Minimize Clinician Burnout: Better for Patient Care and Physician Well-Being. National Academy of Medicine.
