Burnout Case Study

Burnout is a chronic stress disorder that arises from a combination of factors that include a demanding occupational environment and a series of personality traits such as sensitivity and perfectionism (Carter, 2013, para. 1). Burnout is especially an issue in the healthcare system because not only does it have an effect on the individual, but also their performance in the workplace. As a healthcare provider one must be able to consistently conduct oneself in a professional manner as well as acknowledge the emotional nature of illness. Not only must one deliver direct patient care but one may also have to take care of a great deal of organizational/secretarial work depending on the occupation. The emotional exhaustion that ensues from

Once in the work environment the job of the employer should be to make sure that the workplace is organized and runs as smoothly as possible as to minimize some of the factors that may contribute to burnout such as understaffing and excessive hours. An enhanced quality of life at work would not only minimize stress levels but enhance performance as research has proven. A study done at Harvard University in 2010 showed that businesses that implemented wellness programs for their employees were able to cut healthcare costs drastically (Cutler, Baicker, & Song, 2010, p.1). For every dollar spent on these programs, they were able to save $3.27, so not only does the employee benefit but the employer as well. In terms of employee productivity all it takes is to look at some of the most successful companies in the world. Such companies often have great employee benefits and wellness programs such as Google, Facebook, and Costco (Adams, 2014, para. 1-3). In order to decrease the rate of burnout in the medical industry, such initiatives must be taken by the education system as well as the practices that employee healthcare