Benefits Of Professional Burnout

There is a saying that, if you find a job you love that you will never work a day in your life. However, it can be difficult to find enjoyable work in todays’ limited job market. Many unskilled workers find themselves working long hours for low pay with few, if any benefits, such as, employee insurance and paid vacation. On the other hand, skilled vocations, such as welders, electricians, machinists and craftsmen are often supported by workers unions and are able to enjoy these benefits much more than the unskilled work force. We also have a variety of highly skilled professionals performing demanding jobs with expertise such as emergency room physicians, registered nurses and engineers that have earned higher income as well as better benefits

Eastman says, then our American population must be over worked and in need of more time to develop what, exactly it is, we are. For example, most physicians work 40 to 60 hour work weeks but nearly one-quarter of them work 61 to 80 hours in one week! A physician working 80 hours a week is hardly in a position to assist. There are also a large percentage that report “burnout”. Professional burnout is defined as: a syndrome characterized by a loss of enthusiasm for work (emotional exhaustion), feelings of cynicism (depersonalization), and a low sense of personal accomplishment. Physicians experiencing burnout are more likely to provide a lower quality of care, more likely to make medical errors and lack professionalism. These are only the effects upon the workday and fail to mention the personal consequences of burnout such as divorce, alcoholism, among other various personal problems. The fact that our medical professionals suffer such ill health while supposing to be in charge of our health is shocking indeed. How can anyone care for another in any capacity when they have so little time to care for their own mental and physical

Divorce rates and personal problems are also common in careers demanding long hours, especially hours worked away from home for extended periods of time. Many oilfield workers are working offshore for two to four weeks and afforded two to three weeks off, sometimes working very long hours while on duty. Some couples are comfortable with this home/life balance while others suffer higher rates of divorce due to lack of contact. Other professions with higher rates of divorce are bartenders and wait staff, who often work long, late hours, nurses and psychiatrists, both of which are high pressure