Burnout in Healthcare Professionals Causes Workforce Shortages

Burnout in healthcare has always been prevalent – since the days of a one-doctor town and the traveling physician. Today, doctors still have long workweeks that usually include on-call duty. Nurses and ancillary health professionals often sprint 12-hour shifts, four days a week and then overtime.

Burnout Among Healthcare Workers Increased Significantly During the COVID 19 Pandemic

During the COVID 19 pandemic, this burnout got to a breaking point for many in healthcare. The result? A significant number of health professionals joined the great resignation to seek a better work/life balance with some moving to a completely different career path.

What is Burnout?

Doctor making tough decision

According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Burnout can leave a person feeling helpless, resentful, and even hopeless.

Dick McLaughlin, LEAD New England Managing Partner and manager of LEAD Healthcare says, “Although we’ve moved into a more ‘normal’ state, healthcare professionals continue to experience burnout. In fact, according to a recent survey from Slack’s Future Forums, burnout is increasing in C-suite professionals as well. The survey found that overall satisfaction for executives is down 15% and work-related stress and anxiety has jumped 40%.”Companies, including healthcare organizations, are addressing the burnout issue by educating their staff to recognize the signs and symptoms early as well as providing tips to manage burnout before a breaking point.

Signs and Symptoms of Burnout

  • Feeling tired and drained most of the time.
  • Frequent illness; suppressed immune system.
  • Change in sleep habits and appetite.
  • Headaches, muscle pain.
  • Self-doubt, detachment, or feeling alone.
  • Loss of motivation, satisfaction.
  • Negative or cynical.
  • Withdraw and/or isolate from others.
  • Procrastinate tasks.
  • Increased anger, frustration.
  • Change in work habits.
  • Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or food for coping.

Tips to Relieve Burnout and Stress

  • Assess your priorities.
  • Set boundaries.
  • Develop friendships at work.
  • Change the way you view and approach your job and the work you do.
  • Focus on the good in your life; find your passion.
  • Exercise regularly to help relieve stress.
  • Be conscious of your nutrition.

Burnout Can Cause Workforce Labor Shortages in the Healthcare Industry

When burnout can’t be managed and it causes workforce shortages and retention challenges or drives a worker to look for a different job, LEAD Healthcare staffing can help. Designed to deliver a focused, caring, dedicated effort to place the BEST available health workers, Dick explains, “Our team is available to find the highest quality health professional for health companies feeling the wrath of burnout and the great resignation. We are also positioned to help burned out health professionals find new temporary or permanent positions to help them achieve a better work/life balance.”

LEAD Healthcare Staffing Solutions

Dick and his team are available to help you resolve your workforce solutions no matter the cause. Their years of experience hiring highly qualified, dedicated healthcare employees is an asset to meet their client’s and candidate’s needs. They specialize in Allied Healthcare to include, dental support services, physical therapy, and the medical office management sectors. To learn how LEAD Healthcare can best meet your staffing goals, call Dick today at 508-801-3755.