Challenges in treating physician burnout: The psychologist's perspective

Objective

Burnout is a multidimensional stress syndrome that is particularly prevalent in physician populations. While the literature expands on preventive and curative interventions, relatively little is known about factors that may hamper their success. The aim of this study was (1) to identify the specific challenges to treat physician burnout and (2) to explore the origins of these challenges.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with twelve psychologists who had treated physicians with burnout and performed thematic analysis of data.

Results

Psychologists identified two specific challenges in treating physician burnout. First, physicians were reluctant to seek help from health professionals and tended to so at more severe stages of exhaustion. Second, physicians were feeling uncomfortable in the role of patient, and many of them had difficulties to accept treatment. Psychologists suggested the following causes of these challenges: (1) most physicians did not have a general practitioner, (2) they felt guilty about reducing their workload, and (3) tended to confuse professional and personal engagement. According to participants, medical education, the professional culture and the image of the profession in the wider community were likely factors contributing to physicians’ reluctance to seek and accept care.

Discussion

This research showed that the specific challenges to treat physician burnout are mostly related to their reluctance to ask for help and to put their trust in other caregivers. Among the reasons for this behavior, most are linked with physician's representation of professional identity as enduring and selfless.

Conclusion

Further studies are needed to explore how medical education and professional culture can be changed to reduce the risk of physician burnout and facilitate care when it nonetheless arises.