HOW TO PREVENT BURNOUT IN CARDIOLOGY

Abstract

Burnout, as defined by the Maslach Burnout Inventory Survey, describes threeaspects: firstly, emotional exhaustion from being overworked, secondly,depersonalization or desensitization - a lack of compassion for patients and peersand professional efficacy and thirdly, reduced sense of accomplishment. Burnoutis the result of chronic emotional and interpersonal work place stressors The 1,2word “burnout” was originally used by Herbert Freudenberger in 1974 todescribe a state of emotional fatigue that was becoming more prevalent duringthe free clinic movement, attributed to the mismatch of resources to the needs ofpatients. Among other factors exhaustion from increased workloads and 3extended work hours combined with the stress of cognitive decision-making inthe setting of emotionally-charged situations contribute to physician burnout.

In response to Waldo's article, Martin Goldman advised that the way to prevent burnout was to rely on peers, co fellows andsenior fellows seeking their advice as to how to cope with stressful situations and avoid stress. Cardiology now offers manydiverse career paths and one should sagaciously choose the right field which may be preventive, interventional, translationalresearch, cardiac imaging or heart failure. The work should lead to fulfillment. Hospital should introduce mentorship program tohelp an individual sail through the tough years of life. Choosing the right program depending on the location, volume and type oftraining is important.

Cardiology is undoubtedly the most exciting field of medicine as it is truly life saving and on the cutting edge of science. Theepidemic of burnout has to be watched out and all efforts from personal counseling to organizational changes have to be put inplace to prevent it. To our trainees, the message is to enjoy the period of training, it is the most exciting and rewarding time inanyone's professional career. Mid career professionals should continue to practice cardiology and enjoy the novelty and quickresults it offer in most cases. Late in career, as the focus shifts from intervention to prevention, cardiology still has a lot to offer tokeep a doctor engaged with patients