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Signs and Effects of Burnout in the Healthcare Professional

Amy M. Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHS

January 29, 2021

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Question

What are the signs of burnout and the potential effects of burnout? 

Answer

Signs of burnout include:  

  • Being cynical or critical at work
  • Dragging yourself to work and have trouble getting started
  • Being irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers, or clients
  • Lacking the energy to be consistently productive
  • Finding it hard to concentrate
  • Lacking satisfaction from your achievements
  • Feeling disillusioned about your job
  • Using food, drugs, or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel
  • Changed sleep habits
  • Troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints

The potential effects of burnout on the professional if ignored or unaddressed can lead to significant consequences such as

  • Excessive stress
  • Fatique
  • Insomnia
  • Sadness, anger, or irritability
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Vulnerability to illnesses

Provider burnout according to studies (Reith, 2018) can also lead to 

  • Medical errors
  • Higher levels of burnout are associated with higher rates of both patient mortality and dissemination of hospital-transmitted infections
  • Burnout has been linked to dishonest clinical behaviors and a decreased sense of altruism
  • High rates of burnout correlate with lower patient satisfaction ratings
  • Greater job turnover, increased thoughts of quitting, and decreased workforce efficiency 

Burnout leads to lower levels of staff engagement, patient experience, productivity, increased risk of workplace accidents.  Lower levels of self engagement are linked with lower-quality patient care, including safety.  Burnout limits providers' empathy which is a crucial component of effective and person-centered care.  

For more information and strategies to assist with burnout check out this course:  Beating Burnout and Building Resilience: Strategies to Succeed by Amy Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHS

References

Reith, T. P. (2018). Burnout in United States healthcare professionals: a narrative review. Cureus, 10(12)

MayoClinic (2021). Job Burnout: How to spot it and take action.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642

amy m schlessman

Amy M. Schlessman, PT, DPT, DHS

Amy is an Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program and a Center of Teaching Excellence Faculty Liaison at the University of Findlay. She is the Website Co-Chair and Zoom Committee Chair for the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy. Amy has been practicing as a school-based PT for over 18 years, focusing on health promotion and physical activity embedded into academics and interprofessional collaboration, while closely working with educators, administrators, therapists, and parents. Her research on pediatric health promotion was published in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Amy also published, “Recycle Bin Boogie: Move and Learn with Recyclables,” a physical activity book combining academic concepts with common household recyclables. She has presented regionally and nationally on a variety of topics related to health promotion, active learning, school-based therapy, and special education. 

Related Courses

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