Fighting Burnout, One Shift at a Time
You’re halfway through a 12-hour shift, running on three cups of coffee, four hours of broken sleep, and sheer willpower. Your pager won’t stop buzzing, your charting is behind, and you haven’t had a sip of water in hours. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone—burnout is a common struggle, especially for early-career physicians balancing the demands of a new profession with personal well-being.
Signs of Burnout: It’s More Than Just Feeling Tired
Burnout is like the snowball rolling downhill—it starts small but quickly gains momentum. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
Emotional exhaustion: You dread starting your day or feel completely drained by the end of it. You start to feel anxious before going to sleep, spending countless hours on your phone to avoid going to bed and starting the next day.
Cynicism: You find yourself thinking, Another last-minute patient added to my schedule? Great.
Reduced effectiveness: You doubt your abilities and question whether you’re making a difference. You question your decisions and replay scenarios of the day in your head.
Relatable scenario: You snap at a nurse or admin for asking a question, then immediately feel guilty because you know it’s not their fault. That emotional rollercoaster is burnout waving a big red flag.
Prevention Tips: Small Steps, Big Impact
Stopping burnout doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your whole life overnight. These small, actionable changes can make a world of difference:
Schedule Micro-Breaks: Yes, even a two-minute pause between patients can help. Step outside, breathe, and reset.
Barrier: "I don’t even have two minutes!" Solution: Use mundane moments—hand-washing, walking between rooms—as opportunities to breathe deeply.Celebrate Small Wins: Finished charting before your shift ended? That’s a victory worth a fist pump. You catch a “zebra” diagnosis, make a note on your phone for when the day is going less well.
Connect with Peers: Share some of your struggles with colleagues or attend wellness rounds. Laughter is therapeutic.
Relatable scenario: You and your colleagues exchange stories over coffee about your most awkward first patient interactions—suddenly, you feel less alone.
Recovery Strategies: Reclaiming Your Passion
If burnout has already set in, recovery is possible. Here’s how:
Reflect on Your Stressors: Write down what’s causing you the most grief. Is it the workload? Lack of sleep? Emotional toll? Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward fixing it.
Seek Support: Therapy isn’t just for patients. A mental health professional can give you the tools to manage stress effectively.
Reconnect with Your Why: Remember what brought you to medicine. Whether it’s the joy of helping others or the intellectual challenge, let that passion guide your next steps.
Relatable scenario: A patient thanks you for making them feel heard, and you’re reminded why you entered this field in the first place.
The Bottom Line: You Deserve Care Too
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing—it means you’re human. By recognizing the signs, making small adjustments, and asking for help when needed, you can reclaim balance and joy in your career. Because let’s face it: a healthy doctor is the best kind of doctor.
Now, go grab a snack, take that micro-break, and remind yourself—you’ve got this.
