Caregivers have always been under a lot of stress and pressure. Not only do they deal with the typical worries and concerns we all face every day – such as finances, family responsibilities and how to balance work and home life – they also face hectic days and long hours caring for those who can’t care for themselves.
Unfortunately, caregivers are often so focused on the needs of others, they forget about their own self-care or feel guilty admitting any kind of struggle or suffering.
It’s not unusual for physicians and nurses to experience burnout at some point in their lives and careers. And, during the ongoing pandemic, the risk is even greater. Feelings of exhaustion, disconnection from patients, and even thoughts of suicide are just some symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored, not only for your own well being but for your patients as well. Burnout can lead to lower quality of care, lower patient satisfaction, higher turnover rates and an increased risk of medical errors.
Learn what leads to burnout, the early signs and symptoms and what you can do to reduce burnout in this article, “Physician burnout: Running on an empty tank” by Dr. Shannon Aymes.