Paper
Burnout in Anesthesiology Providers: Shedding Light on a Global Problem.
Published Feb 1, 2020 · M. Milenovic, B. Matejic, D. Simić
Anesthesia & Analgesia
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Abstract
As anesthesiologists, we are regularly entrusted with the lives of others. But do we pay enough attention to our own wellbeing? We are trained to react appropriately to numerous clinical challenges, are expected to be attentive, exhibit professionalism in spite of additional workload, and provide the safest patient care possible at all times. At the same time, as highly specialized professionals, we are experiencing the burden of accelerated technological and scientific development and frequent changes in professional and regulatory standards. In the health care systems of developed countries, anesthesiologists have achieved great professional recognition, becoming essential members of interdisciplinary teams charged with diagnostic, perioperative, and therapeutic patient management, as well as taking part in joint scientific projects. Generally, anesthesiologists in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) have the same responsibilities, but they are confronted with higher workload due to shortages in manpower and other resources. All of these competing factors can contribute to psychophysical exhaustion, chronic or accumulated stress, and unresolved problematic interpersonal relations. In addition, due to significantly lower annual income, LMIC anesthesiologists face difficulties in providing for even basic needs of their families. Currently, the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA), together with national member societies, is focusing on the professional wellbeing and burnout of its members. There has been a plethora of published data about burnout syndrome among anesthesiologists. A critical view is needed in interpretation of the results, keeping in mind differences in methodology. Caution must be used in generalizing due to noncomparable data, different study designs (qualitative versus quantitative), limitations of cross-sectional design, poorly defined study populations, instruments used, and differences in cut-offs for the same scales or quantification of total burnout. This is why it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of overall burnout, no matter which professional group is studied. Nevertheless, anesthesiologists are frequently considered to rank among the health professionals most often affected by burnout. Fatigued and exhausted anesthesiologists are prone to compromise in the handling and monitoring of patients, which may affect the interpretation of parameters and result in erroneous decisions.1,2 The need for constant alertness, combined with decreased personal physical and cognitive power, can lead to impaired judgment, late and inadequate responses to clinical changes, poor communication, and faulty record keeping. Thus, a better understanding of the causes and consequences of burnout in anesthesiologists can be used to improve patient safety in the operating room, in the intensive care unit, and in all other areas of anesthesiology practice.2,3
Burnout in anesthesiologists is a global issue, affecting patient safety and negatively impacting their ability to provide high-quality care.
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