How Do You Know if You’re Burned Out?
Burnout is a hot topic. A recent survey conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that over 60 percent of physicians are living with burnout. But how do you know if you're burned out?
❓ A. Is it just a feeling?
❓ B. Is it something we can measure?
If you answered B, you're right. The Maslach Burnout Inventory is a well established tool for measuring burnout, and has been in use since 1981.
Burnout is not your fault, and you’re not alone.
✴ According to the World Health Organization and the ICD-11, burnout results "from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed."
✴ Burnout is not a mental health condition.
✴ Symptoms of burnout include:
🚫 feelings of low energy or exhaustion
🚫 negative feelings or cynicism about your job
🚫 loss of motivation and a sense of detachment from work
If you're wondering if you've just hit a rough spot or if you're truly burned out, you could invest in the Maslach Inventory. Or you could save yourself a little time and money and take a Two-Minute Burnout Inventory created by Chris Bailey for Harvard Business Review. I've linked to the article below.
If you're a physician living with burnout, you don't need to suffer in silence. There are ways to get through it, but you can't always get there on your own.
Systemic changes to our profession are critical, but while we wait for that to happen, it's important that you take care of yourself.
Your health, your loved ones, and your patients are counting on you. If you’re feeling burned out, consider coaching, either through your institution, or through a certified Physician Coach. There are no easy answers, but getting clarity on your own needs and values will help you to chart your own course.
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References
Bailey, C. A Two Minute Burnout Checkup. Harvard Business Review 2023 April.