Therapy for Physicians: Effects of Burnout
Burnout. It’s one of my favorite topics to address. Whether it’s with friends, family, clients, or anyone who will listen, physician burnout is an issue that demands attention. I know why organizations should be concerned about burnout. If an organization is worried about the bottom line, which all organizations should, it comes back to profits. But why should you, a physician, care about burnout at all? It’s a pervasive issue that affects many aspects of professional and personal life. In this blog, I’ll be talking about its impact on physicians.
Impact on Patient Care
When you’re emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, and just trying to get through your workday, there is a strong likelihood of making medical errors. Your decline in performance can have severe consequences on patient care. We are talking about unneeded ER visits, and possibly even harm or death. Tired and burnt-out physicians are more likely to make mistakes, which significantly reduces the quality of care that you provide. Your level of care is tanking but you may be too exhausted to do anything about it. It’s essential to understand that how you are functioning has a relationship with the level of care you provide. The higher you are functioning in terms of your mental and emotional well-being, the safer and more effective care you can provide.
Patient Satisfaction
Of the healthcare providers that I’ve worked with, a majority of the physicians do not prioritize patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was not heavily emphasized in their medical training. The reality is that patient satisfaction is essential to successful healthcare outcomes. Even if a physician provides the most clinically sound medical care, if patients don’t feel safe, secure, and heard, the effectiveness of that care is diminished.
I call this the T Dog effect. T Dog was a healthcare practitioner who provided are beyond their expertise, leading to poor outcomes. However, patients loved T Dog because they felt heard, safe, and secure. This effect highlights that creating a positive and empathetic relationship with patients can significantly enhance their satisfaction and trust, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
Job Hopping and Side Gigs
Burnout can lead healthcare professionals to seek new jobs or additional side gigs. Do you know how many physician side gig groups there are? Do you know how many physicians are looking for side hustle jobs? The stress and energy required to find new employment are huge. Many are looking to get into non-clinical work. Many in the medical field contemplate leaving the medical profession altogether. The constant job searching drains your free time. Who wants to spend their time getting acclimated to a new work environment every few years? If you’re burnt out, you may be job hopping often.
Culture and Staff Morale
Burnout doesn’t only affect the individuals. It impacts the entire workplace. When a person is burnt out, their negative energy can spread like wildfire. It can create a toxic work environment and that negative energy can also spread to colleagues. Misery loves company. This negatively can spread to widespread dissatisfaction with workflow, processes, and administration. Physicians, who are often the leaders in an organization, can express their frustrations openly, which can further ruin the work culture. Spending time in toxic environments hurts productivity and job satisfaction. Working in a toxic environment can make your time at work unbearable. When someone is burnt out, the culture and staff morale can take a nosedive, especially when it comes from a physician leader
Impact on Personal Life
The effects of burnout extend beyond the workplace. When you are emotionally exhausted, it doesn’t stop when you walk through your doorway at home. It doesn’t turn off when you leave the hospital or clinic. It continues to affect your relationships with friends and family. When you’re emotionally drained, you have little energy left for activities outside of work, leading to a decline in your personal quality of life. The people that you care about the most do not get time with you. If you’re burnt out, you may find yourself unable to enjoy your time, as you are constantly worn down by your work stress. You become nothing more than a shell of who you were.
Therapy for Physicians
Many of my clients work with me because they want to make a change and improve their quality of life. Most express a sense of relief and wish they reached out sooner. Addressing burnout is not easy, but the results are worth it. Through therapy and support, physicians can reconnect with their passion for their work, improve their relationships with patients and colleagues, and regain a sense of balance in their personal lives.
If you’re experiencing burnout, know that you don't have to go through it alone. Seeking therapy can be transformative. Reclaim your well-being and improve your professional and personal life. Make a change in your life. Connect with a therapist who understands the unique challenges of the healthcare profession and can guide you towards a healthier, more fulfilling path.
Start your journey with Chris Rabanera. Get started with a free 20-minute consultation today. Offering online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, online therapy in Nebraska, online therapy in Las Vegas, and Utah, I specialize in addressing physician burnout, grief counseling, anxiety, depression, and providing tailored mental health treatment for men. Let’s get to work to make lasting positive changes.
