Articles related to BURNOUT

Disheartening statistics reveal that suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, with nurses appearing to be at a higher risk than the general population, particularly following the relentless strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that our profession can struggle with addressing institutional problems such as inadequate personal protective equipment and enforced overtime, these stressors can intensify the psychological toll. Despite several studies investigating the stress experienced by nurses, we’re often encouraged to endure these pressures stoically, even amidst a pandemic. The stigma surrounding mental health and suicide within our ranks is not addressed as it should be, which is detrimental to our wellbeing as individuals and professionals. In comparison, physician suicide does not pose a higher risk than that of nurses or the general public. However, a turning point came with the tragic suicide of Dr. Lorna Breen, an Emergency Department physician, leading to the enactment of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act in 2022. This legislation established a national program designed to prevent suicide, reduce mental health stigma, and enhance resilience among health care professionals. The Act emphasizes the importance of seeking mental health support and demystifying the stigma associated with […]

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has just disclosed an enlightening study titled, “Examining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout & Stress Among U.S. Nurses.” The study provides a stark look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the U.S. nursing workforce, leading to stress, burnout, and a disturbing decline in their numbers. The groundbreaking research has unveiled that approximately 100,000 registered nurses (RNs) exited the workforce during the pandemic, primarily due to stress, burnout, and retirements. A staggering 610,388 RNs reported plans to leave by 2027 for similar reasons. Particularly alarming is the high proportion of younger nurses, under 40 years of age, who share these intentions. In total, about one-fifth of RNs across the nation are predicted to depart the health care workforce. Moreover, the study revealed that 62% of nurses had to shoulder a heavier workload during the pandemic. A significant portion reported feeling emotionally drained, burned out, and even at the end of their tether. These feelings were notably more pronounced among nurses with 10 or fewer years of experience, leading to an overall 3.3% drop in the U.S. nursing workforce within the last two years. Licensed practical/vocational nurses, who […]

COVID-19, as we know, is a global health crisis that has had a significant impact on the mental health of nurses. Until now, no studies were available on factors affecting the psychological well-being of nurses in Turkey during the pandemic. These insights are crucial because any impairments to nurses’ psychological well-being can negatively affect both the quality of care they provide and their overall performance. In an effort to fill this knowledge gap, the study used a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional design. By adhering to the STROBE reporting guideline checklist, the researchers meticulously compiled their findings. A sample of 295 nurses from a Health Application and Research Center in Turkey, who voluntarily participated through social media tools, formed the study group. Data collection occurred between June and August 2020 using Google forms. Instruments employed included a Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), the Work-Life Balance (WLB) Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale. The team employed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to pinpoint factors affecting psychological well-being. Unsurprisingly, the study found that both the work-life balance and psychological well-being of nurses were negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most nurses exhibited mild-to-moderate levels of COVID-19 phobia. Among the […]

Physician burnout: A rising concern in the medical field, driving doctors to explore alternative career paths. Physician burnout has reached an alarming stage, with doctors increasingly contemplating leaving their medical practices. This exodus has primarily been influenced by the intense stress, emotional trauma, and overwhelming challenges they face in their careers. Importantly, the trend is not just an individual crisis, but a looming threat to the healthcare system. According to recent studies, 20% of physicians express intentions to quit their current practice within two years, and a third aim to cut down their working hours significantly. These statistics could precipitate a healthcare crisis, with the Association of American Medical Colleges predicting a potential shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2034. It’s worth noting that the reasons for this growing disenchantment extend beyond the physical and mental toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, doctors attribute their dissatisfaction to various issues tied to the broader healthcare landscape. They report frequent clashes with insurance companies, dwindling physician autonomy, bureaucratic hurdles, hostility from patients, lack of support from hospital administrations, and an inability to practice the art of bedside medicine. Physicians are not walking away from their professions because they can’t handle the […]

Short appointment times, complex patient cases, stressors in electronic health records, a lack of control, and a poor work-life balance can all have a negative impact on patients’ health and even lead to physicians leaving their practices. Physician burnout reached 63% in 2021, demonstrating how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the problem. Recognizing the characteristics of zero-burnout practices and translating them into individual professional environments is one potential burnout intervention.

OBR covers this New York Times opinion piece; many doctors are jumping on the bandwagon to point out where the cause of burnout truly lies.