Burnout is incredibly high among the healthcare profession, and so pronounced is the problem that the National Academy of Medicine recently published a report specifically addressing the issue.

The report highlights the impact growing demand among patients, a plethora of new technologies and regulations, and a growing need to do more with less is having on the mental health of practitioners.  It’s a problem that afflicts huge numbers, with the report suggesting as many as 45% of nurses are experiencing some form of burnout.  Rates are even higher among physicians, but until recently, it’s a problem that has been viewed as an occupational hazard rather than a mental health diagnosis.

These problems are largely systemic in nature, as they aren’t a consequence of isolated incidences, but rather a cumulative, long-term distress that erodes the health and effectiveness of the workforce.

Patient impact

This has a considerable impact upon the care afforded to patients.  Many of the symptoms of burnout, including a lack of engagement and moral distress, can have a significant impact on patient care, especially when coupled with the causes of burnout, such as long hours and organizational inefficiencies.  And that’s before the impact of burnout on recruitment and retention are considered.

The report highlights the complex and pervasive nature of burnout in the medical profession, with all members of a care team likely to be effected in some way.  As such, the authors argue that only bold and comprehensive reforms are likely to yield the improvements required to stem the tide of burnout.

The authors argue for a systemic approach that engages all of the key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, professional societies and policy makers.  These changes need to address the underlying contributors to burnout, and should include areas such as leadership and culture as well as the development of greater resilience among frontline staff.

As with so many systemic challenges, resolving burnout in healthcare will be anything but straightforward.  Hopefully reports like this will at least allow us to accept the systemic nature of the problem however, and therefore look at fully addressing the origins of the challenge.