Preventing Burnout

Presenter: Stephanie PriceProvisional Psychologist

Burnout• Burnout is a cognitive-emotional reaction to stress

characterised by high levels of exhaustion resulting from the chronic demands made on a person’s resources (Raedeke & Smith, 2009).

• Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

• It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.

How Does This Apply To You?• Demands on clinical hospital staff

include: complex patient loads, long shifts, fast paced environments, emotional and physically demanding area.

• Anton Wildgans “What is to give light must endure burning”

What Leads To Burnout At Work?• Feeling overwhelmed or overloaded

• Working in a role that is physically, mentally or emotionally demanding a lot of the time

• Feeling bored / not feeling sufficiently challenged

• Feeling under-appreciated

• Experiencing compassion fatigue over a long period

What Are Signs Of Burnout?

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Burnout?

Difference Between Stress And Burnout

Stress Burnout • Characterized by over-engagement • Characterized by

disengagement

• Emotions are over-reactive • Emotions are blunted

• Produces urgency and hyperactivity • Produces helplessness and hopelessness

• Loss of energy • Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope

• Leads to anxiety disorders • Leads to detachment and depression

• Primary damage is physical • Primary damage is emotional

• May kill you prematurely • May make life seem not worth living

Source: Stress and Burnout in Ministry

Compassion Fatigue• Emotional, physical & spiritual exhaustion from

witnessing and absorbing the problems and suffering of others. (Perry, 2010; Sabo, 2011).

• The stress that results from helping or wanting to help a suffering person

• Those with enormous capacity for empathy are most at risk

• It is often identified by others before being identified / admitted by the individual

• Skills, experience and longevity do not result in “immunity” to compassion fatigue

What Characterises Compassion Fatigue?• Feeling of being

overwhelmed• Exhaustion• Inability to focus• Decrease in

productivity• Unhappiness• Self-doubt• Isolation• Poor sleep

• Nightmares• Low mood• Irritability• Anger• Helplessness• Confusion • Loss of passion and

enthusiasm

Barriers in Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Burnout• Fear of being labelled weak or a whinger • Fear it may affect employment or career

prospects• Believing that stress is a normal part of the role • Not realising of how severe stress / fatigue has

become• Bargaining with oneself – “if I just make it through

the next month, things should get easier”• Unsure of options or supports available

Hidden Costs of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

• Absenteeism / Lost time / Replacement staff / Added workload

• Impact on other staff

• Impact on individual health

• Interpersonal conflict at the workplace and grievances

• Low morale

• High Turnover, talent replacement

• Poor productivity

• Physical injuries and accidents

• The impact on resilience to manage critical incident stress

You’re Not Alone

What Support Systems are in place at RCH?

Support: RCH has a range of internal and external support

• Access your line management or colleagues• Peer Support Team (currently recruiting/start date: July

TBC)• AMA Victorian Doctors and counselling support/

Nursing and Midwifery Health Program• Junior Medical Staff – Mentors• HR Partners• GP support – mental health care plans to see a

psychologist through Medicare• EAP – Davidson Trahaire Corpsych Phone: 1300 360 364• Lifeline: 13 11 14• SuicideLine: 1300 651 251

Self Care Strategies

• What are your self care strategies?

• Work on a self care plan. Here are some examples:

Summary

• Burn-out: prolonged and excessive stress.

• Compassion Fatigue: Steams from the need to help others whilst excluding our needs.

• Look out for the Signs and Symptoms• Support Options (Speak up!)• Self Care is vital. You are the best

judge.

Questions?