I just came across a recent article in the AMA’s newsletter, AMedNews.com, about physician (and staff) burnout. Nothing all that new here, but it talks about how overwork and burnout of one member of the treatment team or office staff – – physician or non-physician – – affects the productivity, engagement and satisfaction of others in the office. Many of the physicians and other healthcare workers who come to see me for therapy or coaching suffer from burnout. This tends to be particularly troubling for those professionals who are highly specialized in their training and expertise as they often feel that there are no other options but to continue in their current mode of practice, leaving them to feel trapped. Burnout is relatively easily dealt with once the problem is identified and the professional invests her/his attention and time to the matter of resolving the situation.
