Prevention of emotional burnout in medical professionals

Abstract

More than a third of doctors in Ukraine experience this problem, but most of them do not receive specialized help in this matter. Specialists who have the highest risk of EBS: urologists (54%), neurologists (53%), rehabilitation specialists (52%), therapists (49%), ambulance doctors (48%), family doctors (48%).

The main causes of EBS in physicians are a large number of bureaucratic tasks (59%), a lot of time at work (34%), digital workload (32%). With increasing age and length of service in the profession, indicators of burnout tend to increase. The most intensive EBS is observed in employees of outpatient clinics (45%) and health care institutions (49%).

There are physical, behavioral, emotional, intellectual symptoms of EBS. The most disturbing symptoms are personal deformity, pessimism, negativism, social self-isolation, loss of empathy, indifference to the loved ones, the environment and patients. Such doctors become not only unfit for work, but also professionally dangerous because of the risk of harm to patients.

To diagnose EBS in health professionals, the author of the article proposes to use the questionnaire “Professional (emotional) burnout”, developed on the basis of a three-factor model by K. Maslach and S. Jackson. The technique is designed to diagnose emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and professional achievement. The test contains 22 statements about the feelings and experiences associated with the performance of work activities. The obtained results can be used to develop measures to prevent loss of interest in professional activities.

The most popular measures to combat EBS: sports (48%), communication with family members and close friends (43%), self-isolation (41%). EBS is easier to prevent than to treat, so special attention is paid to prevention methods. To reduce the risks of EBS, it is necessary to increase psychological competence, give way to negative emotions, expand the range of interests, quickly resolve conflicts, do not delay in obtaining specialized help, do not look for negativity around you. The article also offers twelve “rituals” of emotional hygiene, which are recommended to be performed regularly.