It is well known these days that burnout is a widespread point of discussion in the medical community – especially among surgeons. As much as we talk about it, many physicians don’t even realize that they’re burned out. We talk a lot about how surgeons can prevent and treat symptoms of burnout when they arise, but an essential first step in that process is getting the burned out surgeon to realize that they are experiencing burnout. In this article, we are going to address this issue and offer some tips for helping surgeons recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout so they can take appropriate action.
Demands of the Job
The system and culture expects a lot of our physicians – too much, in fact. Many of us were trained to power through adverse situations and solve problems on our own, without asking others for help. The strategy of working harder and longer does nothing to improve our situation. Rather, it leads to unprocessed anxiety, stress, and fatigue – classic symptoms of burnout.
Burnout is not typically caused by a single event. It usually builds slowly over the course of months or years, much like the frog in the boiling pot – making it even more difficult to recognize and address. When we do finally exhibit the signs, it is important to effectively identify them as such.
Recognizing the Signs
Keeping an eye out for red flags is an important first step. Even asking simple questions can bring heightened awareness to our current situation.
These signs can be hard to recognize in ourselves, so it’s also important to keep an eye on our friends and colleagues as well. If you notice any of these red flags in a friend or colleague, go beyond asking them how they’re doing and if they need any help. Most will say they are fine and “no thanks.” Come at it from the side of compassion. You could offer support in ways that you might want others to give it to you, or you could share with your colleague one of our resources, blogs, or podcasts that really resonated with you.
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Source – Helping Physicians Recognize They’re Burned Out, Steph Weber, Physicians Practice, April 9, 2018