Medical residents and fellows spend years in training to learn and practice specialized fields in medicine, and with such intense training comes several responsibilities. These responsibilities can easily become overwhelming and transform into resident and fellow burnout if not managed correctly. In fact, a 2017 ScienceDirect review of burnout in pediatric residency revealed that burnout has adverse implications for pediatric residents and about half of pediatric residents experience burnout.
If medical resident or fellow burnout is not addressed early on, there is more at risk than underperformance. Unchecked burnout can result in lower patient satisfaction, higher medical errors and poor patient care.
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Medical resident and fellow burnout carries serious consequences because of its links to depression and suicide among medical residents, which is the second leading cause for medical resident death. This is why it's crucial to recognize the signs of resident and fellow burnout. Here are some warning signs to consider and some intervention tactics to combat burnout:
Sleep deprivation, fatigue, and burnout work together in a vicious cycle. Since fatigue is a common symptom of burnout for residents and fellows, it's important to catch early. If left unaddressed, fatigue can lead to critical mistakes on the job.
If you're having a hard time experiencing sympathy or empathy for patients, or you have an overall lack of emotional connection with your patients, then it's possible that you're experiencing burnout.
Having a glass of wine to unwind after a long day at work may not be detrimental. But when significant amounts of alcohol are being consumed or mixed with other substances to deal with daily stress, help is overdue.
Self-medicating is never the answer to addressing burnout as it can easily lead to detrimental consequences, including overdose or death. It's crucial to take notice of patterns of substance and alcohol abuse before it becomes too late.
If you start to see symptoms of burnout in yourself or your institution, there are several ways to confront the problem. Here are some tips on dealing with resident or fellow burnout:
Recognizing the warning signs of burnout in residents and fellows is crucial to getting to the root of the problem. Take action by having a plan to remedy burnout. The Resident and Fellow Well-Being Index is an exceptional way to accurately and anonymously self-assess burnout and stress levels. Implementing the Well-Being Index into your institution's wellness plan can help to unearth the problem, then track progress. By taking these steps and implementing a wellness plan, you can keep resident and fellow burnout at bay.