- In Medicine, the long working hours from boarding school and residence have been “normalized”.
- Burnout Syndrome is such a serious problem that it was even included by the WHO in the most recent version of the International Classification of Diseases.
- When a doctor develops it, the chances of making mistakes with patients also increase.
All health professionals have a strong responsibility in their hands. This is quite a complex job that offers many rewards that cannot be described. Seeing the recovery of a patient is the clearest sign that everything is worth it. At the same time, there are also various risks such as the development of Burnout syndrome.
The lifestyle change facing doctoral candidates
The sacrifices start from the educational stage. It is not possible to generalize but many young people develop a radical change from the first semester at the university. There is too much to learn and the demands are too great. At this time the first sleeplessness begins.
The panorama is complicated at the time of doing the internship. Although it is an abuse already having to do 36-hour shifts in hospitals has become normal. During this period, multiple functions must be done and many times the functions seem to have no end.
The most common disease among doctors
Based on the above, it is natural that a large part of young people develop the Burnout syndrome. In its most specific definition, it is the sum of chronic stress and physical and mental exhaustion. It occurs when a person feels tired all the time and this does not allow them to carry out their personal or professional activities. The consequence is lower performance and also impacts on his quality of life.
Although some consider the Burnout syndrome as a minor issue it really isn’t. When it is not treated in time, it can cause serious depression that can even lead to suicide. That was why in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) of the World Health Organization (WHO) is already recognized as a fairly serious problem.
Medical specialties with the highest prevalence of Burnout Syndrome
Now, although it affects all health professionals, there are some areas where it is more frequent. In this regard, the portal medscape developed the investigation Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2022: Stress, Anxiety and Anger.
For its elaboration, a survey was carried out on 13,000 doctors from 29 specialties. What was obtained is that Emergency Medicine is the most affected because 60% of specialists admit to suffering from Burnout Syndrome. Although the reasons are not delved into, the exhaustive work, all the activities to be carried out and having death so close could be some of the causes.
While Intensive Care and Gynecology and Obstetrics appear in the following places with 56% and 53%, respectively. As long as they are below Infectology with 51% and Family Medicine with 51%.
On the other hand, this scenario is quite dangerous because it affects not only the well-being of doctors. Being always exhausted increases the chances of making mistakes, therefore patients are also at risk. In the end it is a vicious circle where all parties are at risk.
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