Finding Our Way Out of Burnout

Abstract

Years before the pandemic, the American Society of Clinical Oncology had been trying to understand the drivers behind the epidemic of distress and burnout in the oncology workforce and-of course-find ways to relieve or mitigate those drivers. The chaos of 2020 (which continues to reverberate throughout our culture) has only made things worse. Physicians describe the impact of this extended disruption as affecting not only work responsibilities but also relationships with patients, colleagues, and families. It has threatened their finances and has caused severe moral distress at work, fear of vulnerable family members becoming infected, and social isolation. Many colleagues approaching retirement age are now exhausted-moving them more quickly toward the exit door. Considering the state of the prepandemic "normal" regarding physician burnout, a return to normal doesn't feel much like a victory. And in this discouraging environment, the burnout issue threatens to become a "not-my-problem" issue. But efforts to address physician burnout have already revealed that it's everyone's problem: • Regulatory agencies. Too many states create a disincentive for physicians to report their emotional problems, as it can lead to license restriction and sanction. • Healthcare organizations. Clinician wellbeing-not market share or bottom-line profits-needs to become a marker of the success of every healthcare enterprise. • Peer-support programs. We need formal programs designed to respond quickly and effectively to clinicians in difficulty-from a bad outcome or medical error to moral distress or conflict. • Individual physicians. Doctors need proactive programs to support them individually and encourage them once again to embrace their identities as healers and recognize that leading healthy and balanced lives is a professional responsibility.