Healthcare workers: diminishing burnout symptoms through self-care

Abstract

Being part of the health care system involves facing stress, loneliness and the emotional toll of assisting, listening and caring for patients who come into the office or hospital, and seek or even demand assistance. Healthcare workers, like physicians, nurses and therapists, are trained, on assisting and healing others. They are less effective in taking care of themselves. This article, which aims to heighten clinicians' awareness of the need for self-care, especially now in the post-pandemic era, addresses the demanding nature of medicine and health work, and the resistance that clinicians commonly display in the face of suggestions that they engage in self-care. The consequences of neglecting to care for oneself are delineated. The demanding nature of medicine is reviewed, along with the loneliness and isolation felt by clinicians particularly those in private practice, the professional hazards faced by those caring for others, and the ways that are available to them (should they decide to care for themselves) for the benefit of their clients, their families and, obviously, themselves.