Premium
Burnout in the medical profession: not a rite of passage
Author(s) -
Baigent Michael,
Baigent Ruth
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/mja17.00891
Subject(s) - citation , rite of passage , medical library , sociology , classics , history , library science , anthropology , computer science
471 I in the service of others. “Epidemic”, “crisis” and “urgent need” are words accompanying discussions of burnout and doctor suicides. Yet, despite this bombardment, there has been no sustained approach to achieve an effective national response. Recently, responding to calls for action, the Victorian government launched a workplace mental health strategy and the New South Wales government held a junior doctor wellbeing forum. Some colleges and medical organisations have websites, forums, action plans, conferences and seminars on doctors’ mental health. Doctors develop mental illness for the same reasons as any other person. Yet burnout, which is a risk factor, is highly prevalent in doctors. Why not address the burnout? Who should address it?