What are the signs of burnout in healthcare workers?

28 Jul 2021

What are the signs of burnout in healthcare workers?

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Healthcare professionals are more likely to experience burnout than some other professions. Burnout is the experience of feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by tasks, often work related. For more information on the causes of burnout see our previous blog.

The signs of burnout can be different for everyone, however, there are some common themes for those who experience burnout while working in a healthcare setting. 

Reduction in compassion or empathy for your patients

This can be a difficult one for healthcare professionals to accept or admit to, given that most enter the role due to a desire to help others. However, when someone is experiencing burnout it is common to feel less compassionate or empathetic about the patients that you work with. This is due to compassion fatigue, where the strain of supporting others who are experiencing stress eventually vicariously affects you.

Experiencing more physical illnesses

When we are emotionally depleted we tend not to take care of ourselves as well. When we don’t take care of ourselves, and we are living with chronic stress, we are more likely to become physically unwell. In addition, due to the stigma of taking sickness leave for mental health, some healthcare workers may report feeling physically unwell in order to recoup their emotional energy.

Lack of energy

We all experience tiredness after a long week at work, however, when you are experiencing burnout everything you do feels like a huge task. Looking after yourself and others, keeping on top of life admin and household chores, as well as your job can all feel insurmountable. 

Feeling under appreciated

Burnout can be accompanied by a chronic feeling of not being appreciated. This can be feeling under appreciated by patients or clients. However, in healthcare settings it can often be as a result of relationships with colleagues or senior professionals such as managers and clinical supervisors. 

Becoming more negative or cynical about your job

As a result of feeling exhausted, becoming ill and feeling under appreciated it is not uncommon for healthcare workers who experience burnout to become more negative or cynical about their job, role or employer.

This can be a key warning sign to be aware of in yourself, colleagues or those that you manage or supervise. Previously passionate clinicians who become cynical or pessimistic require support for their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those that they care for.

How can I cope with burnout?

Burnout is a difficult experience and not one that you can navigate without some support. See our previous blog for strategies, speak to your organisation or contact Burnout UK for more information.

Burnout UK was founded by Dr Julie Hannan and provides online courses for people to overcome and prevent burnout. Courses are written by Psychologists and approved by the British Psychological Society. Courses help you identify stressors that you face in your work and home life that might be contributing to your burnout and reshape areas of your life which are depleting you by developing new strategies to support your recovery and strengthen your resilience and wellbeing for the future.