Burnout Resources

Burnout & Strategies to Address Burnout

To address burnout in healthcare workers, strategies must include those targeted at individual, organizational, and system levels.

Self-care:

    • Regular exercise
    • Sufficient sleep
    • Healthy diet
    • Mindfulness practices, like meditation or deep breathing 
    • Engaging in hobbies and leisure activities 
    • Taking breaks throughout the day 

Boundary Setting:

    • Learning to say no to additional tasks when overloaded
    • Setting clear work hours and respecting personal time
    • Communicating expectations to colleagues and patients 

Seeking support:

    • Talking to trusted friends and family
    • Connecting with colleagues for peer support
    • Utilizing Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for confidential counseling 
    • Consulting with a therapist or mental health professional 

Workload management:

    • Assessing and adjusting staff schedules to reduce overwork
    • Implementing efficient workflows to minimize administrative burdens
    • Offering flexible work arrangements when possible

 Culture of support:

    • Open communication channels where concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal
    • Leadership that actively promotes staff well-being and recognizes achievements
    • Fostering a positive team environment with collaboration and support

 Professional development:

    • Providing training on stress management techniques and coping mechanisms
    • Opportunities for career advancement and skill development
    • Encouraging healthy work-life balance through education and policies
    • Addressing root causes of burnout, such as inadequate staffing levels and high patient volumes
    • Implementing technology to streamline processes and reduce administrative tasks
    • Advocating for policy changes that support healthcare workers 
       
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Burnout in Primary Care: Assessing and Addressing it in Your Practice

Learn at ACGME

Combatting Burn Out, Promoting Physician Well-Being: Building Blocks for a Health Learning Environment in GME (free course)

Peer Reviewed Articles

Self-Assessments

Burnout can occur in a range of occupations but frequently occurs in the caring professions.

Factors contributing to burnout include excessive workloads, patient pressures, lack of control, interference from managers, insecurity, reorganization, poor support, front line practice, perceived threats of complaints or violence, and dysfunctional workplaces.

These confidential questionnaires can help you screen yourself for symptoms of burnout and other related domains.