Work can be rewarding, but the stress it generates can also create real challenges. Burnout is a common occurrence for employees in every industry, and healthcare is no exception—often resulting in feelings of isolation, sadness or distress.

“There is data showing that about one out of every two physicians has dealt with burnout or is currently experiencing it, and some specialties such as emergency medicine, family medicine and OB-GYN have an even higher rate,” said Alen Voskanian, MD, MBA, chief operating officer of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. “Whether it stems from excessive bureaucracy, a perceived lack of autonomy or staffing shortages, physicians experiencing burnout can end up feeling like they are just cogs in a wheel, which can drain their energy and sap them of any job-related joy.”

The problem is not unique to doctors, notes Linda Kim, PhD, a research scientist in the Department of Nursing Research and Quality Improvement at Cedars-Sinai.

“Nurses are also susceptible, and symptoms can include compassion fatigue, moral distress and even injury,” she said.

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Burnout looks different in each person but, according to Voskanian, it is generally defined as having three main components: first, there’s emotional exhaustion; second, depersonalization—which leads to reduced empathy and ability to connect with patients; and third, a feeling of inadequate personal achievement, as if nothing the person is doing is good enough.

Voskanian points out that it is important first to recognize what causes burnout in healthcare.

“Some of it is simply due to inherent problems that exist in the healthcare system,” he said. “It’s important not to blame physicians and healthcare workers for lack of strength or resilience.”

Instead, he continued, the longer-term focus needs to be on addressing root causes, such as challenges with electronic health records and redundant bureaucratic tasks.

“Of course, that’s not going to happen overnight,” he said, “and while we’re trying to fix the system, clinicians and others can pursue strategies that help them improve their own wellness and reclaim their joy.”

Kim agrees that systems-level change, while an important part of the solution to burnout, must go hand in hand with individual efforts to prioritize self-care.

“It could be yoga, deep breathing, getting outside for a short walk or even binge-watching Netflix—whatever type of relaxation or stress management tool is most resonant for the person who needs it,” she said.

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Another strategy is seeking out opportunities to do things that spark joy while on the job.

“If you enjoy teaching and your work allows you to teach students once a week, maybe you can find a way to do it twice a week,” Voskanian said. “Or perhaps you love the days you’re collaborating on specific kinds of projects. See if it might be possible for you to take on more of those assignments. Any time you can dedicate to doing something you really like will help mitigate against feeling worn down.”

Employees can also take advantage of the wellness resources their organizations offer.

“There are a number of what we call ‘serenity lounges’ across Cedars-Sinai, where staff can soak up some quiet or unwind in a massage chair. We did a small study and found that even 10 minutes in the lounge was helpful in decreasing anxiety, fatigue and stress,” Kim said. “People often think they can only reset after a day off or a long vacation, but even these micropractices are helpful.”

Sometimes, reducing burnout requires looking beyond work for other forms of fulfillment.

“Nurturing interests outside of our jobs can be rejuvenating,” Voskanian said. “By doing things like channeling our creativity through art or writing, engaging in a sports activity, attending a musical event or volunteering, we can begin to find some of the joy missing from our lives.”

Joining a professional organization can also play a role in combating burnout.

“Affinity groups often tackle issues around stress and burnout experienced by their members, and they provide chances to network with others who may be going through a similar situation,” Kim said. “In addition, affiliation promotes members’ professional well-being in a broader sense through involvement in committees working on wide-ranging strategies to promote wellness on a larger scale. ”

As people find ways to ward off burnout or lessen its impact, they can also be a sounding board for colleagues or loved ones facing similar issues.

“If you see a colleague who seems to be struggling, take the time to approach them and implement some basic stress first-aid techniques,” Kim said. “Ask them if they’re OK, and be prepared to listen. Sometimes, all it takes to lift someone up is to say, ‘I notice something’s going on. Do you want to talk about it? How can I help?’”

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