Many doctors struggle with burnout

Doctors face a lot of stress in their daily work, which is caused by several factors. This includes pressure related to responsibility for human life and significant workload. As a result, doctors often develop a burnout syndrome, which affects both their personal feelings about their professional life and the way they work with patients.

POOR ACCESS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP

A study conducted on oncologists shows that almost 66 percent of them had a subjective sense of burnout. 75 percent of the respondents met the criteria of occupational burnout, based, inter alia, on on WHO recommendations. More than one third of the doctors participating in the study sought psychological support, but only 18.5% of them had access to such assistance at their workplace.

- The oncology specialty is extremely emotional. It would seem that the standard should be that the team includes a psychologist who not only works with patients, but also supports employees - emphasized Prof. Ewa Mojs, chairman of the Foundation's Scientific Council.

DOCTORS DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS

Meanwhile, studies conducted on doctors, nurses and other health care professionals show that emergency medics mainly use maladaptive methods of coping with stress.

- Everything starts and ends with emotions. The point is not to ignore them, but to manage them properly and adequately. For example, lower coping skills increase the risk of developing addiction to psychoactive substances, said Prof. Ewa Mojs.

It turns out that doctors often stop talking about their emotional problems by how psychiatric treatment is perceived. In this context, we are dealing with stigma. There are also doubts as to whether such disorders will not affect the possibility of medical practice.

- My patients often struggle with the fear that having anxiety disorders can heal people. I reassure them that they can, but must take care of themselves. Since 2017, the pledge of the World Physicians Association has added a sub-item that says that taking care of your health is an expression of medical professionalism - says Dr. Magda Flaga-Łuczkiewicz, representative of the Supreme Medical Chamber for physicians' health.

THE APPROACH TO WORK RULES IS CHANGING

The work of a doctor often means the necessity to be on duty for many hours. The number of hours worked by them per month, in extreme cases, is even equivalent to what would be in the normal working hours for two people. Increasingly, however, medics are starting to notice the need for rest and want to ensure a balance between private and professional life. This is especially true for younger employees.

- Many doctors of my generation are driven by the work ethos in which we grew up and which made us work till we drop and for meager money. The young generation expects compliance with the rules of work. More and more often and more and more I am convinced that they are right. My generation was exploitable by the system and continues to this day. In my personal opinion, this is evidenced by the contract system, for example, assessed prof. Zbigniew Włodarczyk, head of the Transplantology Clinic at University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz.

THEY PROVIDE MEDICINES SUPPORT

The Nie Widać Po Mnie Foundation, together with the Hospital of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Wołomin, has been implementing a pilot project "Support for a medic, WySPA" in this clinic since June. The aim of the campaign is to help healthcare professionals take care of their health and mental state. An internet platform has been made available to hospital employees to support mental health problems.

- The idea was bold, but it worked. 25 percent employees took part in the survey. Dozens of people have received advice and know how to proceed, as well as whether they require treatment and need psychotherapy. - said Dr. Katarzyna Kamińska, acting deputy director for treatment in the Hospital of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Wołomin.

September 14th is Burnout Day.