Tag: burnout

Is Your Nursing Career Making You Fat?

Is your nursing career making you fat? A new study says it could be. Take our poll and let us know just how much weight you think this study holds.

Employees with substantial workloads who experience exhaustion or burnout are more likely to emotionally eat and exercise less, behaviors that promote weight gain, according to a study published May 30th in the Journal of Health Psychology.

That sure sounds like a career in nursing, doesn’t it?

This isn’t the first time weight gain has been tied to the profession, either. Previous studies have found that nurses have a high rate of being overweight or obese, and that working the night shift can be linked to an increase in body weight. Though the job comes with many physical demands, and physical activity is a tried and true factor in maintaining a healthy weight, that doesn’t seem to help keep the pounds off when it comes to the emotional weight of nursing.

Have you packed on pounds since becoming a nurse, or do you feel as if this study doesn’t hold weight for you? Tell us below.

Have you gained weight, lost weight, or maintained your weight since becoming a nurse?:

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Physician Burnout Costs U.S. Billions Each Year

Physician burnout is not only a widespread problem for physicians themselves, but it is also bad for business, or so found a new study published this week.

Physician burnout is not only a widespread problem for physicians themselves, but it is also, apparently, bad for business, or so found a new study published this week in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Quantifying the toll of physician burnout has been tackled before, at least in terms of negative clinical and organizational outcomes, but the economic costs of this syndrome have not been as clear.

With this in mind, a team of researchers set out to tally the financial burden of burnout on physicians in the United States. They studied several vital measures related to physician burnout, including turnover rates and reduced clinical hours, as well as their associated costs, and used recent research and industry reports to come to a conservative, and yet, still staggering, estimated cost of burnout—$4.6 billion per year.

“Together with previous evidence that burnout can effectively be reduced with moderate levels of investment, these findings suggest substantial economic value for policy and organizational expenditures for burnout reduction programs for physicians,” the study concluded.

While it is impossible to put a price on the lives of those who so often save lives in this country, having such an overwhelming estimated price tag attached to the problem may be what is needed for health care leaders to begin to adopt initiatives to remedy this ongoing issue.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Hardest Parts of Nursing

The nursing profession comes with many obvious rewards, be they personal or professional. However, it is also well-documented to be one of the most stressful careers, due to staffing shortages, hospital politics, long hours, and many other factors. Business Insider recently took a deep dive into the minds of nurses and released a list of what they have found to be the top pain points of working nurses. The list, released last week, includes eleven of the hardest challenges faced by nurses today, including:

  1. Experiencing the death of patients
  2. Judgment passed by others about their occupation
  3. Long, stressful hours
  4. A lack of respect from others in the industry
  5. Hospital politics
  6. Non-existent or few bathroom breaks
  7. Outdated and time-consuming technology
  8. Know-it-all patients and their families
  9. Missing out on holidays and weekends
  10. The pressure to know everything
  11. Caring for drug-addicted patients

What do you think is missing from this list? Are you facing struggles that aren’t mentioned above? Feel free to vent about them in the comments.

Burnout, as Defined by the World Health Organization

Whatever the definition may or may not be, burnout continues to be a widespread problem in the medical field, but the WHO is now calling it a “syndrome.”

Burnout is no longer simply a “state of vital exhaustion,” as it was previously described in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases—the ICD-10.

While the World Health Organization falls short of labeling burnout an outright medical condition, in the updated handbook, the ICD-11, which goes into effect in January of 2022, burnout is now being classified as a “syndrome” and an “occupational phenomenon.”

A statement released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization said, “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”

Whatever the definition may or may not be, burnout continues to be a widespread problem in the medical field. The latest numbers estimate that more than 40% of physicians and 40-49% of nurses have reported experiencing burnout.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How Healthcare Professionals Can Make a Change When You’re on the Road to Career Burnout

by Julie Morris

Everyone has their own reasons for entering healthcare, but one common purpose we all share is the desire to help others. The problem is that in doing so, we sometimes put our own needs last, which can lead to career burnout. However, even when you’re busy, there are simple ways you can turn the tables and feel more satisfied in your career and life in general.

Are You Ready for a Change?

 Maybe you started your career filled with excitement, but you no longer have that job satisfaction. Maybe you’re bored at work or mentally exhausted. If the stress of work is taking a toll on you, you may want to look into a career that will be more fulfilling. There are lots of options for people who enjoy caring for others, like becoming a social worker, counselor, teacher, or a speech pathologist. Switching careers may be easier than you think. For example, many speech pathologists get their degrees from a fully accredited online program.

Are You Overcommitted?

 Sometimes, burnout happens because we don’t have a healthy work-life balance. If you work long hours and then commit to doing too much outside of work, you probably wonder where all your time goes. Being able to say “no” on occasion is necessary to stop overcommitment. This may mean saying no to extra hours at work or saying “no” to requests from friends and family. Saying no can help you prioritize what’s most important at work, and it leaves you with the time you need for yourself at home.

Are You Managing Stress?

Some stress in life is unavoidable, which is why we all need tools for managing it. If stress and anxiety are a problem, you may want to explore the benefits of CBD oil. According to Collective Evolution, research has shown that CBD oil can give you relief from stress, anxiety, and mood disorders like depression. It also helps you sleep better and can help your body better regulate itself overall. Of course, you should always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements. If you’re new to CBD, you may want to try CBD-infused gummies. Gummies make the delivery process simple, so they’re ideal for anyone who is trying it for the first time.

While supplements like CBD can help reduce stress on an ongoing basis, you also need tools that you can use right when stress starts to feel overwhelming. Many healthcare workers benefit from learning controlled breathing techniques to relieve acute anxiety. American Nurse Today recommends using a meditation app on your phone to make this even easier.

Are You Caring for Yourself?

When you stay busy with work, it’s easy to slip into a routine where your own health isn’t your top priority. As simple as it may sound, basic self-care like eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising plays a major role in your stress and overall happiness. You may just need some creative ways to make self-care easier. If you’re always on the go, plan some healthy meals you can bring to work. Or, maybe you can grab a few co-workers and take lunchtime walks. The key is to decide that your own health has to come first and commit to squeezing healthy habits into your busy schedule.

Caring for yourself also means making time for fun. We all need a getaway from time to time, but don’t wait until vacation to do things you enjoy. Schedule coffee with a friend, or have a date night with your partner. Even just goofing off with co-workers will relieve tension.

Everyone seems to talk about work-life balance these days, but in the healthcare profession, this isn’t just a nice idea — it’s essential to avoiding burnout. Some people don’t even realize they’re on the road to burnout until they stop to think about it. Asking yourself these questions, and answering them honestly, is the first step toward making a change for the better.

Image by Pixabay

Julie Morris is a freelance writer based out of Boston, MA. She writes most often on health is a life and career coach. She thrives on helping others live their best lives. It’s easy for her to relate to clients who feel run over by life because she’s been there. After years in a successful (but unfulfilling) career in finance, Julie busted out of the corner office that had become her prison.

Today, she is fulfilled by helping busy professionals like her past self get the clarity they need in order to live inspired lives that fill more than just their bank accounts. When Julie isn’t working with clients, she enjoys writing and is currently working on her first book. She also loves spending time outdoors and getting lost in a good book.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

“Physician Misery Index” Climbs to 3.94/5

Despite efforts being made to raise awareness of physician burnout, a healthcare analytics company has announced their Physician Misery Index is now a 3.94 out of 5.

Last week, Geneia, a healthcare analytics company, revealed their Physician Misery Index, a tool the company created to measure national physician satisfaction, has increased to 3.94 out of 5, up from January 2015’s score of 3.78, despite the efforts being made to raise awareness of physician burnout.

To determine the score, the company conducted a nationwide survey in July of 2018 of 300 full-time physicians, all of which have been practicing post-residency medicine for more than four years.

The survey’s findings, which contributed to the bump in the Index, include:

  • 80% of surveyed physicians said they feel they are personally at risk for burnout at some point in their career.
  • Nearly all respondents (96%) reported they have personally witnessed or personally experienced negative impacts as a result of physician burnout.
  • 66% said the challenges of practicing medicine in today’s environment have caused them to consider career options outside of clinical practice.
  • 89% said the “business and regulation of healthcare” has changed the practice of medicine for the worse.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Want to Take Your Mind Off Work? Volunteer.

Finding the time to volunteer your services to underserved populations or in times of crisis may be one way to help you escape from your day-to-day burdens.

After Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida panhandle in early October, the American Red Cross and other relief organizations appealed for volunteer medical professionals, including physicians, to aid in relief efforts.

“Why would I want to do that? I’m already busy enough,” you may be saying to yourself.

However, physician volunteerism can have many positive impacts on your life and career, one of which can be to combat symptoms of burnout, such as stress and depression. In fact, a recent study on physician perceptions of volunteer service remarked, “Volunteering may serve as a crucial “escape hatch” from the stresses of their regular jobs—in other words, volunteering could have a valuable function in burnout prevention.”

There are many organizations with which physicians can volunteer their services—for disaster relief or otherwise. Some options to consider include:

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Physicians Are Plagued by EHR, but Few Are Asking Them How to Improve It

Despite documentation burden being a leading factor of physician burnout, organizations and EHR vendors are barely asking physicians how to improve.

EHRs are a common pain point for physicians, with multiple studies singling out documentation burden as a leading factor of physician burnout. However, a new survey of U.S. physicians by Deloitte found that only about a third of organizations and EHR vendors sought physician feedback on how to improve EHR processes.

Approximately 624 U.S. primary care and specialty physicians participated in the Deloitte 2018 Survey of U.S. Physicians, and of those respondents, only 34% of surveyed physicians indicated their organization or EHR vendor sought their feedback, though 58% of responding physicians said there is a big opportunity for improvement in clinical documentation, and it was the number one area physicians indicated could be done more efficiently in their day.

51% of physicians who were not asked for feedback said they were unaware of EHR optimization efforts either by their organization or through their EHR vendor.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Caring for Yourself in the Face of Compassion Fatigue

Compassion is “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others,” and it is felt, often deeply, by those in the nursing profession.

Compassion is defined as “sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others,” and it is felt, often deeply, by those in the nursing profession. But at what cost?

Burnout—the feeling of being physical, mental, and emotional exhausted—is an all too common job hazard that impacts a large percentage of nurses, as well as other healthcare professionals. While the numbers vary across studies and from year to year, an estimated 36% to 70% of nurses have reported symptoms of burnout and those numbers are on the rise.

Compassion fatigue is a part of burnout—it is part of the emotionally exhausting part of burnout. The term itself was coined by Carla Joinson in 1992, when she observed that nurses dealing with repeated heartache had lost their “ability to nurture.” While compassion fatigue can develop in any care relationship where empathy is present, it is common in nurses who work in pediatrics, oncology, intensive care, emergency services, and hospice, and those who experience chronic or prolonged exposure to trauma.

Caring for yourself—especially while caring for others—is essential to combat compassion fatigue. Here are some tips on how to do so.

Practice Self-Compassion

Suffering from compassion fatigue and burnout is not a personal flaw. They are job hazards, and you are not a lesser person for succumbing to them. Remind yourself of this often. Be gentle and understanding with yourself, not hyper-critical. You are only human and you are doing the best you can.

Incorporate Self-Care and Mindfulness

Put yourself first. You cannot care for others, if you are not caring for yourself. Begin to practice meditation or yoga, keep a gratitude journal, take time to just breathe, partake in hobbies you enjoy outside of work, never take your work home with you, eat healthy meals, and make sure you are getting enough sleep each night.

Ask for Help

There is no shame in seeking help, if you cannot overcome compassion fatigue on your own. Discuss your concerns with your team and superiors. Any institution worth working for will have protocols in place for fostering good mental health for their employees. And beyond that, if needed, counseling is also an option. Sometimes, just confiding your burdens in another, and not carrying them alone, is all you really need to begin feeling better.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Definitions May Vary, but Burnout Is a Problem All the Same

Does defining burnout as a diagnosable condition, such as depression, even matter in regards to treating the problem, or should the focus fall elsewhere?

This month, The Journal of the American Medical Association published two major studies and one searing editorial on physician burnout.

The first study, entitled Prevalence of Burnout Among Physicians, A Systematic Review, is a summary of research to date on the prevalence of physician burnout. In conclusion, the review found, “there was substantial variability in prevalence estimates of burnout among practicing physicians and marked variation in burnout definitions, assessment methods, and study quality.”

The second study, Association of Clinical Specialty with Symptoms of Burnout and Career Choice Regret Among US Resident Physicians, followed doctors-in-training over the course of six years, and kept track of how they felt about their work. In conclusion, the study found that “reported symptoms of burnout occurred in 45.2% of participants and career choice regret in 14.1%.”

The accompanying editorial, Physician Burnout—A Serious Symptom, But of What?, written by Thomas L. Schwenk, MD and Katherine J. Gold, MD, MSW, MS, takes aim at these studies and the problem of burnout as a whole.

“The term burnout has taken on meaning far beyond what is understood about it as an actual diagnosis or even a syndrome. The medical profession has taken a self-reported complaint of unhappiness and dissatisfaction and turned it into a call for action on what is claimed to be a national epidemic that purportedly affects half to two-thirds of practicing physicians,” the editorial reads, in part.

It goes on to say, “There is clearly something important and worrisome happening to physician well-being.”

From where you stand, as a physician, does defining burnout as a diagnosable condition, such as depression, even matter in regards to treating the problem? Or do you believe the focus should fall elsewhere?

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.