The

TM

EPEC-O

Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care - Oncology

Project

The EPEC-O Curriculum is produced by the EPEC TM Project with major funding provided by NCI, with supplemental funding provided by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

E P E C O EPEC – Oncology Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care – Oncology

Module 15 Cancer Doctors and Burnout

Overall message Recognize burnout early to minimize the associated distress

Objectives



Define burnout



Recognize associated signs, symptoms



Know risk factors



Contrast burnout and depression



Identify techniques to decrease burnout

Video

What is burnout?



Psychological syndrome



Response to chronic interpersonal stressors

Key dimensions of burnout . . .



Exhaustion



Depersonalization



Sense of Ineffectiveness

Signs and symptoms of burnout . . .



Fatigue



Physical / emotional exhaustion



Headaches



GI disturbances



Weight loss



Insomnia



Depression



Boredom

. . . Signs and symptoms of burnout



Frustration



Low morale



Job turnover



Impaired job performance

 

Quality of care

The nature of oncologists’ burnout



56% - sense of failure



34% - depression



20% - disinterest in practice



18% - boredom

Whippen DA, Canellos GP.

J Clin Oncol

, 1991 .

Burnout and head and neck surgeons



Frustration with: Disease – 27% Government – 67% Economics – 58%

Johnson JT, et al.

Head Neck

, 1993.

Burnout vs. Depression Burnout



Work specific



‘In the battle’ Depression



Pervasive



‘Given up’

Lifestyle management techniques to reduce burnout . . .



Recognize and monitor symptoms



Good nutrition



Meditation



Spiritual life



Grieve loss

 

Overtime



Exercise



Energy work

. . . Lifestyle management techniques



Sense of humor



Consultation for severe symptoms



Discuss stresses



Seek new solutions



Time

Preventive approaches to burnout



Address emotions that affect patient care



Changes in managerial practice



Improved communications

Summary . . .



Burnout is prevalent



Monitor for signs and symptoms



Manage lifestyle



Address managerial issues

E P E C O

. . . Summary Recognize burnout early to minimize the associated distress