The healthcare industry is one of the most demanding industries in the workforce, and that demand to act quickly, rationally and correctly is even more intensified in intensive care units across the country. So it’s no surprise that burnout rates for doctors in ICUs are reaching critically high levels, according to a new report.
The report found that up to 45 percent of the nation’s 10,000 critical care physicians and nearly a third of the 500,000 critical care nurses are reporting severe levels of burnout. The findings also suggests that 71 of physicians in pediatric critical care reported severe levels of burnout, which is more than twice the rate for general practitioners. Nearly 86 percent of critical care nurses reported at least one symptom of burnout, which include:
- Exhaustion
- Depersonalization (Having an indifferent attitude about work)
- Feelings of diminished personal accomplishment
The findings in the ICU were the highest reported levels of burnout among medical professionals. Researchers noted that burnout syndrome can lead to serious negative consequences, like PTSD, alcohol abuse and thoughts of suicide, which can be harmful to both provider and patient.
Recommended Burnout Prevention Strategies
The Critical Care Societies Collaborative, which includes the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, and the Society of Critical Care Medicine presented some recommended changes that could help prevent burnout in the ICU. Their proposal suggests:
- Developing patient advocacy groups to educate patients and their families on the symptoms of burnout and how to have healthy interactions with providers.
- Hospitals should strive for low turnover rates to develop a more welcoming environment, they should restrict consecutive hours worked, and they should provide assistance for individuals who have or are at risk for burnout.
- Hospitals should come up with some burnout tracking tools so them can monitor their own progress towards reducing burnout.
- Professional organizations should help teach providers how to spot and prevent burnout.
- Medical schools should improve their outreach and training programs so medical students have a better idea of the realities of their professions to develop coping skills earlier in their career.