Opinion: Doctors quit and more patients die as staff suffer fatigue, burnout

A few months ago we were shocked and saddened by the news of young Hiyaan Kapil who died shortly after being discharged from Logan Hospital, suffering from excruciating abdominal pain — only to be told he had constipation and dehydration. Kymberlie Ousby who had brought her daughter to the hospital witnessed these events and commented on the ED being extremely full and the busiest she had ever seen it.

It is no secret that working in the medical field can be incredibly taxing; from long hours to constant stress and responsibility. As a health professional, there is a level of pressure that is expected and when tolerated and overcome, can lead to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. However, if it persists endlessly beyond what is humanly possible, it can also lead to fatigue and burnout.

The Australian healthcare system is under insurmountable pressure and reports of increased wait times, overcrowding in emergency departments and exhausted ambulance services failing to meet the growing demand are becoming commonplace. This is causing widespread stress, frustration and exhaustion within the medical community.

This problem is not unique to Australia. Many countries struggle to keep up with the increasing need for healthcare services. Unfortunately, the dire consequences are becoming evident — more frequent errors and, sadly, untimely fatalities.

We need to resist blaming the doctors, nurses, and paramedics, who are part of a stretched system that is led by managers and politicians who often lack an understanding of the day-to-day issues faced by health professionals.

Fatigue and burnout

Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness that can be physical, emotional or cognitive. It can lead to a decrease in productivity and performance, as well as an increase in errors. Burnout, on the other hand, is a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion. It can cause a decline in job satisfaction and motivation, as well as problems with relationships and health.

Both fatigue and burnout are serious issues for medical professionals. They can lead to decreased quality of care and mistakes that can harm patients, and can even cause practitioners to leave the field altogether.

Some common signs of fatigue include yawning frequently, having trouble staying focused, feeling irritable or impatient, having difficulty remembering things, and feeling tired even after getting enough sleep. The signs of burnout vary from person to person but may include feelings of emptiness or cynicism, detachment from work or clients, irritability or anger, physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea, and a lack of interest in activities that used to bring joy.

Limited resources and huge burden of care

Health professionals are constantly pushed beyond their limits, having worked long hours without sufficient breaks since the pandemic, and now dealing with the post-pandemic load. This severe and constant stress has taken a toll on many working in the medical field, who suffer fatigue and burnout, yet aren’t in a position to step away from their work and take the time off that they require.

In the mental healthcare field especially, there are limited resources and a huge burden of care. This is becoming increasingly stressful and mental health professionals are overwhelmed, often feeling physically exhausted, being short-tempered, feeling ineffective at work, or having difficulty concentrating.

Medical professionals are the backbone of our healthcare system. Their tireless efforts and pleas for help are often ignored or met with more work at inadequate pay rates. We seem to expect medical professionals to be martyrs, caring for others at the expense of their own wellbeing.

Even within private practice, the administrative demands are hard to bill and even more so when knowing the stressors faced by your clients.

Key steps

If you are experiencing fatigue or burnout, it is important to take steps to address the issue. Here are a few tips:

1. Take breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around every hour or so to break up the monotony of sitting at your desk. Take a few minutes to stretch or go for a walk outside.
2. Make time for yourself. Set aside time each day to do something that you enjoy, whether it's reading, going for a walk or watching your favourite show.
3. Connect with others. Talk to your co-workers or friends about what's going on in your life. Venting can help to relieve some of the stress you’re feeling.
4. Seek help if needed. If the fatigue or burnout is severe, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist or counsellor about how to manage it.

When providers are overworked and overextended, they are at risk of developing fatigue and burnout. This can lead to decreased job satisfaction, lower morale and an increased risk of medical errors.

Managing the workload

There are several ways hospitals and medical organisations can help manage the flow of patients through our health systems to prevent overworked and overtired employees. One way is to ensure that providers have appropriate breaks and time off.

We need more upskilling of staff and faster moving through training programs to ensure we can have adequate resources to meet the demands.

Overseas graduates who seek opportunities abroad should have easier access to certification.

Adding support for providers, such as mentorship programs where inexperienced providers are paired with experienced ones, helps inexperienced individuals learn the ropes of the job more quickly and develop close relationships with those within the field.

Instilling wellness programs within the organisation also offers opportunities for providers to participate in activities such as yoga or meditation. This can help them manage stress and stay healthy as well as promoting a warm and positive team environment, where everybody can work together and rely on each other when needed.

And finally, we need to make sure our medical professionals are adequately remunerated. Professionals need to be paid appropriately for the services they provide to the community. Not only will this increase incentive and motivation to persevere when things get tough, but it may also help encourage future generations to join the medical field, knowing that they will be paid accordingly for their efforts.

It's time for us to start valuing our medical professionals more. We need to give them the respect and support they deserve. If we don't, then we'll pay the price when they're all gone.

*Dr Lisa Myers is a Child Adolescent Psychiatrist (BMedSc, MBCHB, FRANZCP, Cert of Advanced Training Child Adolescent Psychiatry). Her first book is also out for pre-order.

Image credit: iStockphoto.com/SDI Productions