Healthcare Burnout and Self-Assessment
As we all know healthcare burnout is a pervasive problem in our healthcare system. The following blog post is a primer on healthcare burnout with an invitation to complete a self assessment.
What is burnout?
Burnout is defined by ICD11 as:
“ a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
reduced professional efficacy” (WHO, 2019).
Defined as an occupational problem, burnout puts individuals at increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse and relationship problems. Unfortunately, it often takes a toll on physical health as well. It is a well documented phenomenon that when healthcare workers suffer, patients, health systems and communities as a whole do too.
Burnout Out Trends
Even prior to the pandemic there were significant concerns at the level of burnout by our healthcare workforce, with many health organizations including the American Medical Association describing “crisis level.” Assessment across multiple populations illustrated a pattern of elevations during the pandemic, followed by a decline but above baseline levels across disciplines (e.g., Moher et al., 2025 ). Mental health workers and nurses are often at higher risk. Although numbers vary by study, a robust study from Well MD at standford reported that 45.2% of respondents reported at least one symptom of burnout in a recent survey (Shanafelt et al., 2025).
What causes burnout?
Burnout is multifactorial and impacted by larger societal movements, the healthcare system as a whole, specific organizational culture, and learning/working environements. We also know that there are individual characteristics that increase ones burnout risk.
This infographic from the US Surgeon General’s Advisory on Byuilding a Thriving Health Workforce eloquently illustrates factors impacting burnout.
Healthcare Burnout Out Self-Assessment
With a system in crisis, you may be curious how you are doing?
Perhaps you identify with the following statements:
I feel exhausted, despite betting adequate rest
I find it hard to care about work and am becoming increasingly detached
Although I am pushing through, things feel desperately unsustainable
I am having trouble connecting with my patients and coworkers
I am experiencing chronic workplace stress
I notice my anxiety levels increasing and things that once were manageable feel insurmountable
I don’t like how you are showing up at work.
There are many burnout, professional fulfillment and wellbeing assessments available and you likely have already periodically filled them out at work. Mayo Clinic offers a sample assessment of their well-being assessment normed by profession, gender, and location. Feel free to explore more here.
If you are seeking more support, long-lasting solutions and more work place fulfillment, explore my Therapy for Healthcare Workers and reach out.
