Combating Burnout: Strategies for Healthcare Professionals
It’s no secret that employee burnout continues to be one of the biggest issues healthcare businesses face today.
According to an American Medical Association survey of healthcare workers, half of all respondents reported at least some symptoms of burnout with 16 percent stating that they have persistent symptoms of burnout that will not go away.
Professional burnout in the healthcare field can result in an increased risk of medical errors, high turnover rates and staffing shortages, and reduced quality of care and patient satisfaction.
In one study, researchers determined that about $4.6 billion in costs are incurred in the U.S. each year due to physician turnover and reduced work hours related to burnout.
This is not a new problem. While burnout levels in the field hit all-time highs during the spread of COVID, burnout was prevalent before the pandemic. According to the National Academy of Medicine, between 35 and 54 percent of nurses reported symptoms of burnout in 2019.
Some signs of healthcare employee burnout can include:
● Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, and physical/emotional depletion
● Increased irritability and mood changes
● Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
● Cynicism and a sense of detachment from work
● Decreased sense of accomplishment
● Increased alcohol use or other unhealthy coping mechanism
● Anxiety, inability to focus, and overall decreased productivity
● Frequent illness
● Withdrawing from friends and family
There are several ways healthcare organizations can help combat this crisis.
Ensure manageable workloads and adequate staffing levels. Two of the most common complaints from those struggling with burnout are the large workload they are expected to handle and the lack of staff to provide adequate care.
Provide easy access to mental health resources. Organizations should normalize employees seeking help if they need it, without the fear of being judged. Hospitals and healthcare organizations should consider having mental health clinics in place to serve employees when needed.
Consider hiring a Chief Wellness Officer. Creating this position will ensure that stress-related issues are taken seriously. This also would send a message to employees that their personal well-being is valued.
Listen to your employees. Involving workers in policy-making discussions allows them to share their strategies of coping with and preventing burnout.
Health professionals also have recommendations for employees on how to help deal with work-related stress.
Maintain basic self-care. With the heavy workloads and staff shortages, basic self-care can easily get overlooked. Make sure you’re eating a nutritious diet, establish a good sleep routine and exercising at least 30 minutes daily.
Take time off. You’ve earned those vacation days so use them! Take time off if you start to feel burned out. Use those vacation days to rest.
Find ways to reduce stress. Use meditation, exercise, yoga or breathing techniques to reduce your stress level.
Talk to your boss. Let your supervisor know if your workload is becoming too overwhelming. They are the ones who can make changes to schedules and staffing.
Speak to a therapist. Many companies have employee assistance programs (EAPs), individual or group therapy sessions, and counseling services where they can get help whenever they need it.
Maintain work-life balance. Set boundaries and unplug during personal time. Be sure to engage in hobbies and activities outside of work.
By placing a priority on reducing burnout, organizations will allow their employees to take better care of themselves and their patients.
FĒNEX HEALTHCARE CONSULTING
At FĒNEX, our goal is to help healthcare organizations maximize their technologies so they can improve their patient care. Healthcare organizations need a trusted partner with the right balance of experience in the industry, business acumen, and prescriptive thinking.
