Rough Draft-Burnout Syndrome

Krystal Yost

English 132

April 2, 2012

Burnout Syndrome

Since I was a young girl I wanted to me just like my mom who was a nurse. A career in the medical field was always what I knew would be a part of my life in one way or another. This topic is not only important to me but also the people who are already working in the medical field as doctors, nurses, medical assistants, etc. These people would more than likely agree that finding more research on health issues would be relevant. Not only health care professionals but also the ones that are suffering from health problems would find this topic important. People are always looking for new ways on improving someone’s health. This would include the patient and the caregiver. The overall health of our country is important. Problems that are going on around the world are what is seen on the news. In general, people care about the well being of others. However, what is extremely important to me is people who are dealing with some sort of cancer While being in school trying to earn a degree in nursing I want to know more of what it actually takes. A lot of nurses in the Oncology department experience what is called the “Burnout Syndrome.” This is where they become physically and mentally exhausted because of their work. My research question is; How can we improve job burnout in the nursing field? I will begin with researching this topic online, looking at educational articles, and even talking to someone who works in the field or a patient who has some form of cancer. This topic hit home a lot to me because my mom passed away from cancer so I already have a lot of background knowledge that will help improve my paper. This paper will allow readers to know what steps need to be taken in order to earn a nursing degree. It will allow them to find out what true strength is needed with working in the oncology department. As a prediction I hope to find some answers to the questions that have come up. I will find out more about education, schooling, and what it is like working with a patient with a serious illness. There are so many demands that nurses have and I need to find out just what those are. A lot of nurses get attached to the patients and have to watch them suffer. It can be both an emotional and physical strain on a person, which is related to the burnout syndrome. I want to know what it is like taking care of people as a career and going through all of the stress. Having gone with my mom to chemo I’d like to find out how people with cancer have positive outlooks. If only people could be as strong as someone fighting for their life would truly inspire everyone to have a better outlook.

            It takes a great deal of schooling in order to become a registered nurse. Long hours in the classroom, practical’s, exams, and so much more goes into earning a degree in the medical field. Working long hours in the hospital or at the patients home can cause a great deal of problems. One big problem would be considered a nurse burnout. “Burnout was first recognized as a psychological concept in the 1970’s. The Maslach Burnout Inventory defines burnout according to three characteristics: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduction in perceived personal accomplishment.” (Christina Fearon) When a person is emotionally exhausted they feel drained and down 24/7. Then when they try to protect themselves more it would be considered depersonalization and a lowered satisfaction in achievement results in a decrease of work productivity. This would cause a reduction in perceived personal accomplishment.

            The nurse burnout is known because it shows a pattern of emotional and subsequent emotional exhaustion. A person gets too involved emotionally, and may overextend him or herself, and feels overwhelmed by the demands imposed by other people. (Christina Maslach) It is a condition that some registered nurses experience that shows itself as being fatigued all the time, readily irritable, insomnia and poor performance. Physical manifestations can be chronic headaches, back pain, weight gain, and Gastrointestinal problems. (Nursing Profession Education)

            The range of health care professionals is so wide. It can range from becoming a medical assistant, registered nurse, or a doctor to one of those three who specializes in something specific such as oncology. “Professional burnout has been recognized in the nursing field for decades. Research in the area has examined personality characteristics, working conditions, shift length, support networks, and various other risk factors associated with burnout in nurses in many specialty areas, including oncology.” (Marcella Williams) Oncology specializes in the treatments of cancer. This field of study has such a high chance of experiencing the burnout syndrome. Much of the research done has shown that nurses in the oncology department experience burnout much more than other professions. However, one author completely disagreed. Burnout can occur in any profession and it’s the end result of stress.

            A survey was completed by 589 people showing so many results. 60% returned the survey before the cut-off date. 56% of the respondents reported experiencing burnout in their professional life. There was no significance found between the burnout and specialty within oncology. Significance was found between the type of practice and the incidence of burnout. (Journal of Clinical Oncology) That piece of evidence seems to go against all of the data previously found.

            Another article stated, “There is a great level of stress among people who work with the vulnerable groups of society.” (Harm Reduction Network) This would include nurses and oncologists, along with several others. When working in this type of environment stress is a huge factor. Once stress comes in so many other things could happen. “Frequent depressions, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, low level of work satisfaction, etc. All this is a widely spread reaction on a permanent emotional stress related to work with other people who are in a difficult situation and often face hardships. A burnout syndrome is very painful problem for individual and leads to work efficiency and labor drain in an organization.” (Harm Reduction Nerwork)

            When someone experiences the burnout syndrome it may be like there is no getting back on track. It has been shown and proven that there are specific techniques and things that can be done. A person may experience the burnout syndrome, take some time for themselves, and then get back on track. Much research has justified that sentence.

            “Nurses can experience burnout in all aspects of life, from work to family time.” (Karen Hochberg) Karen Hochberg found several ways to prevent this syndrome from occurring. The first step would be to identify your purpose. This would mean figure out exactly what should be learned from the meeting, specifically would be a meeting that could be emotionally draining. Secondly, your attitude is everything. Honestly, have a positive outlook on the situation. Don’t focus on the negatives. Thirdly, would be to listen and the fourth is to take notes. This would mean complete focus and determination. Lastly would be to learn by watching. Instead of just jumping in take the time to watch your co-workers. This would not mean not doing your job but just taking enough time for yourself to deal with the burnout syndrome.

            Another author believes there are other ways to deal and cope with this syndrome. According to a study of physicians from the Journal of the American Medical Association they stated, “Guided meditation and sharing of experiences has been shown to improve mood and decrease feelings of burnout.” (Morgan Lewis Jr.)

            When it comes to doctors and nurses the level of burnout is high. The authors from the South African Medical Journal have found a significantly high degree of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization experienced by doctors. “Burnout resulting from high levels of stress at work can contribute to the exodus of health care workers.” Recruitment, improved management and planning, increased support, mentorship, and a more empathetic administration were some of the factors suggested to mitigate the burnout experienced by doctors.” (South African Medical Journal)

My viewpoint on the issue

            The burnout syndrome is such a hard thing to get rid of. From knowing several people who work in the medical field I have had a pretty good insight into that sort of thing. The burnout syndrome is from physical and emotional exhaustion in the work place. The oncology department hit home to me because of my mom. I went with my mom every Monday to chemotherapy and was able to see first hand what it is like working with such ill patients. I also see what it is like being the patients with the terminal illness of cancer. For professionals in the health care field the burnout syndrome is always a worry, which I have seen and completely agree with. There are several ways to get emotionally drained, ways to avoid it, and always ways to recover.

            Oncologists are professionals who are there to track a person’s health. They are also there to watch over chemotherapy and radiation and to make sure that everything is going properly. From going with my mom every Monday I have seen how the nurses get attached to their patients. These nurses care for people like they are their best friend. They have to watch them sit there, knowing they have some form of cancer. Taking care of these patients is such an emotional strain. Along with it being an emotional strain it is also considered to be compassion fatigue. “These could be the side effects from treatment and their end stages of life due to cancer.” (Julie Berger) Joinson, a researcher did a study on compassion fatigue. “The researcher identified behaviors that were characteristic of compassion fatigue including chronic fatigue, irritability, dread going to work, aggravation of physical ailments, and a lack of joy in life. (Julie Berger)

            The burnout syndrome appeared in the 1970’s. The American Psychiatrist, H. Fredenberger worked in the medical service. He described a phenomenon as exhaustion, loss of motivation, and responsibility. This is how the burnout syndrome got its name. (Harm Reduction Network)

            The level of stress associated with professionals in the health care field is so high. Having to watch someone whom you are attached to has to be extremely difficult. This will upset the caregiver and possibly make them depressed. One of the most difficult cases would have to be watching a young child die from cancer. “The most threatening experience for a medical student is having to inform a patient or the family of the impending death. (Christina Maslach) This would be one of the main cases of burnout. Along with having to experience the burnout syndrome because of the work place, there are always ways to try and avoid it altogether.

            When the work environment becomes too much for the nurse or doctor something needs to be done. Being able to set realistic goals should be the main priority. “In practical terms, this means that you have to work out a list of specific accomplishments that you can shoot for on a given day, a given month-even for the year.” (Christina Maslach) Along with setting your own goals you need to rest and relax. The burnout syndrome could potentially ruin your career if the right coping methods aren’t present. Another option would be to take breaks and possibly even let someone else take the lead for awhile so that you don’t have to. Instead of just caring for the patient the caregiver must also be taking care of themselves. Trying to focus on only the positives would also help.

            When trying to recover from the burnout syndrome it could be a long grueling process. No matter what being a part of the health care field some things are inevitable. You will get attached to the patients either way. All careers experience some part of the burnout syndrome but oncologists, who watch people pass away from it will experience it more. It will also depend on the person. Counseling and therapy will help if that’s an option for the person. “Frustrations and failures can be put into perspective when balanced by satisfactions and successes.” (Christina Maslach) Instead of focusing on the negative try to keep the positives in the front. Taking the good with the bad and keeping a positive outlook on life.

            The burnout syndrome seems like something that everyone gets at one point or another. However, that is not true. There are ways that once you get physically and mentally exhausted to overcome them and move on. Then there are also ways to keep going and work around all of the stress.

           

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