Dedicating one’s life to caring for others is an admirable feat. And for doctors, this is a daily commitment that can impact their quality of life, including their mental health. Unfortunately, burnout is becoming more and more common among the medical community, and not only impacts the healthcare professional, but also his or her family, work team, colleagues, patients and the healthcare system in general. The American Academy of Family Physicians defines burnout as a psychological syndrome that arises as a response to chronic stressors at work, generating overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, detachment from work, and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of achievement. For its part, the American Medical Association notes that in 2023, 48% of doctors reported experiencing at least one burnout symptom, showing a reduction compared with 2022, where 53% was reported. Professionals with the highest incidence of this syndrome included emergency physicians, obstetricians, pediatricians and family doctors. Providers reporting the most cases were the 45-54 age group and women. When asked how the doctors handled burnout, 79% reported that they’re not receiving professional help to manage it. According to data from the same association, it’s estimated that burnout costs the U.S. healthcare system around $4.6 billion per year, and for each doctor who leaves his or her position because of this, the cost to the system is between $500,000 and $1 million or more, depending on the specialty. And although we don’t have research in Puerto Rico that specifically deals with the issue of burnout, studies conducted on the island regarding the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and other frontline responders, point to a psychological impact that includes symptoms associated with burnout in more than 60% of the professionals mentioned above. The vision of caring for others without acknowledging their own needs, along with concerns of losing their license, can cause doctors to stay silent about any symptoms they might experience related to burnout, depression, ideas of suicide, or other mental health-related conditions. The American Academy of Family Physicians invites doctors to seek help if they suspect any warning signs associated with burnout. These can include: A lack of motivation Doubts about their ability as a doctor Difficulty coping with the stress of daily life Insomnia Isolation Excessive worry or rumination (constant negative thoughts) Anxiety Irritability Fatigue Difficulty concentrating or remembering things Headaches These symptoms can be caused by several factors, both external and internal. External Factors: Internal Factors: Administrative processes A lack of patient commitment to treatments Number of hours worked Lack of compensation Interaction with technological tools Regulations Questions from patients about the care they’re receiving, among others High expectations Perfectionism Need for recognition Need to please others by suppressing their own needs Overconfidence in handling challenges Valuing work as the most important activity, replacing a social life Studies show that burnout can impact providers and their clinical practices. This can be seen as decreased job satisfaction, loss of interest, tardiness, lack of commitment to patients, alcohol and other substance abuse, negativity, and anger. It also affects interpersonal and partner relationships, causing breakups and divorce. It also has an impact on the quality of care and patient satisfaction, leading to errors in judgment and prescribing medications, as well as lawsuits and associated expenses. Seeking strategies to manage burnout is necessary, as it’s not possible to take care of others without taking care of oneself. To take care of physical and mental health, apply the following recommendations: Focus on relationships: prioritize your relationships with your partner, family, friends, and colleagues. Cultivate your spirituality: nurture your spirituality through religious or spiritual practices. Manage your attitude towards your work: find meaning and satisfaction in your work. Manage the time you dedicate to your practice, evaluate those aspects that do not satisfy you, and eliminate them if possible. Reduce your administrative workload: evaluate processes that may take up your time and use technology to make certain tasks easier. If necessary, hire additional staff to support you, and delegate tasks. Practice self-care: enjoy a hobby, take a vacation, exercise, watch what you eat, maintain a healthy weight, get enough sleep, and practice preventive care on a regular basis. Take care of your mental health: practice stress management techniques, such as meditation, and seek professional counseling. Self-care is key to keeping your health in optimal condition. Make it a priority to take care of your physical and mental health, and build a support network to help you. Stay tuned for more articles on this topic, where we’ll provide tools and recommendations to identify and effectively manage this syndrome.
