Burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, leading to emotional depletion, detachment, and a decline in performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, primarily linked to workplace stress, but it can affect anyone experiencing persistent pressure and overwhelming demands.
Common signs of burnout include:
- Feeling drained, overwhelmed, and unable to cope.
- Exhaustion.
- Developing a cynical or detached attitude towards work, responsibilities, or people.
- Feeling disillusioned or negative about your work, relationships, or life in general. You might become irritable, withdrawn, or even resentful.
- Decreased productivity, struggling with concentration, and a lack of motivation.
- Headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, and frequent illness due to weakened immunity, muscle tension, sleep problems, and changes in appetite.
- Feeling easily frustrated, anxious, or depressed.
Factors that contribute to burnout are:
- Unrealistic expectations and long working hours.
- Taking on too much responsibility or working long hours without adequate breaks.
- Feeling powerless over work conditions, schedules, or decision-making.
- Feeling like you have little control over your work or personal life.
- No defined expectations or having conflicting demands.
- Little to no time for relaxation, hobbies, or personal life.
- Feeling undervalued or unappreciated for efforts.
- High-pressure environments, conflicts, or lack of support from colleagues, family, or friends.
- When work spills over into your personal life, leaving little time for relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Constantly striving for unattainable goals and feeling like you are never good enough.
To maintain long-term well-being:
- Set boundaries and learn to say no.
- Avoid taking work home.
- Protect your personal time.
- Self-care. Make self-care a priority.
- Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
- Make time for exercise, meditation, spending time in nature, or pursuing hobbies.
- Manage stress.
- Be kind to yourself and avoid striving for perfection.
- Seek support.
- Ask for help.
- Learn to delegate effectively.
- Improve work conditions.
- Discuss workload.
- Negotiate deadlines.
- Take breaks and rest.
- Prioritise sleep.
- Reassess long-term goals and making necessary adjustments.
- Maintain strong relationships with your friends and family.
Hopefully, these will also prevent burnout.
In the BMJ, January 2025, there was an article about protecting the support for doctors. The confidential primary care mental health service for doctors is under threat, while there are increasing numbers of doctors seeking support.
The GMC annual report into doctors’ workplace experiences found that 23% had taken leave owing to stress. 33% were “struggling.” Factors identified were working beyond rostered/working hours and feeling unable to cope with the enormous workload. In primary care (GP) 48% were “struggling.” 39% of doctors were at risk of burnout in this survey.
Staff in clinical roles are most likely to experience burnout. Chronic workplace stress is a common factor. For doctors the mentality, “where you don’t go off sick and you work long hours” starts early at medical school or before.
Doctors present late with more chronic and severe symptoms to the confidential primary care mental health service when compared to others presenting to secondary mental health services. Stigma and fears about confidentiality may be a factor.
There are statistics on doctors’ burnout that are condemning. The burnout arises from poorly managed workplace conditions. If someone seeks assistance to manage workloads they can be treated poorly or there may not be acceptance that there is an issue.
This is a really important issue. The NHS is a large employer and is failing its workforce. NHS GPs (primary care) may be the first people with burnout present to. The overburdened and overwhelmed primary care services are dealing with a preventable disorder that many of the GPs may be suffering from too. The NHS mental health services are the places where people with burnout will seek treatment. How can this function, if the clinicians delivering treatment, are burnt out themselves?
We need to be aware of burnout and ensure that we look after our health, look after our junior colleagues that we manage and support change that offers a more rewarding and caring workplace.