Leadership | 05.14.24
Breaking the Silence Surrounding MSP Burnout
by Susan Diaz, CPCS, CPMSM; and Bill O’Neill, MBA
This article is from the #NAMSS23 session, “Breaking the Silence Surrounding MSP Burnout.” It is being published during Mental Health Awareness Month to highlight the importance of personal wellness.
We have all heard a great deal about burnout in the physician population, both in our workday conversations and in the press. While less attention has been given to burnout among medical services professionals (MSPs), the phenomenon is just as real and just as devastating in the MSP community.
Stress vs. Burnout: Words Matter
When speaking about burnout, we need to have a common understanding of the term and how it contrasts with stress. In today’s world, it would be hard to find anyone who is not stressed. Everyone is busy, facing deadlines and other pressures. For many, the price of getting stuff done is stress, and that stress can lead to anxiety and other health problems, both physical and emotional.
While a stressed person may feel overcommitted and anxious, they still move forward. A person experiencing burnout is overwhelmed, disengaged, and depressed. Rather than moving forward, they feel trapped and paralyzed.
Burnout in our Lives
In preparation for #NAMSS23, we surveyed MSPs from across the U.S. on this topic. Ninety-two percent of respondents reported stress and/or burnout at work, and 64% said burnout had a negative impact on their relationships.
“I’m trying to cope with sleeplessness, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed.”
“I’ve become tired — disinterested in work and hobbies.”
“I got divorced due to working 80+ hours a week.”
A recurring theme in survey responses was a perceived lack of support from institutional leadership:
“No one listens to your problems.”
“We have an employee assistance program, but taking time during a business day and telling your boss you’re seeking help isn’t something I’m comfortable with.”
Taking Time to Help Ourselves
If we find ourselves trapped in toxic environments with little to no effective support, what can we do to help ourselves? A number of respondents provided guidance:
“Take a walk — get some exercise.”
“Try to keep in mind that your career doesn’t need to define you.”
“Keep your work at work. Turn it off in the evenings and weekends.”
“Talk out problems or situations with other MSPs. Go to a NAMSS gathering.”
Admittedly, there may be times when we feel these things are easier said than done. What can we do to remind ourselves of our intrinsic value and reconnect with aspects of our lives that are truly important?
Practicing Gratitude
As you were growing up, did your parents or others tell you to “count your blessings”? It turns out that counting your blessings is not just a good thing to do — it’s also good for you! Adopting a practice of gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people:
- Feel more positive emotions.
- Relish good experiences.
- Improve their health.
- Deal with adversity.
- Build strong relationships.
Practicing gratitude means you are actively striving to make it a daily habit, and this can be done in many ways. Consider keeping a “gratitude journal” — buy a little notebook and each day write down three things (or even one thing) for which you are grateful. Or, if that just adds one more thing to your to-do list each day (thus more stress…) simply set aside a moment or two each evening to reflect on the parts of your life that provide comfort or joy.
If times seem dark and gratitude is elusive, consider asking yourself questions such as:
- Who makes me feel like I truly matter?
- What is something I can easily do that others struggle with?
- Who or what has changed my life for the better?
- What have I learned to appreciate as the result of a difficult experience?
Making Time to Help Others (On a Shoestring Budget)
If we have titles like manager, director, or vice president, we are called upon to lead, not just administrate. At times, leadership requires creativity to address problems even when our organizations don’t provide the resources we think we need.
Candor and Compassion
Keep an open line of communication with your staff and be honest and empathetic. Be quick to share good news when you can, and make sure you recognize your team’s accomplishments in an open and timely manner. Make sure the team is aware of any support resources that may be available within, or outside of, the organization. Encourage them to look out for one another and adopt a buddy system if possible.
Lead by Example
Model behaviors that promote self-monitoring. For example, at the beginning of the work day or beginning of staff meetings, lead a few minutes of reflection.
Swing for the Fences (With a Budget)
If you are truly ambitious, approaches exist that can help not only you and your team, but the institution as a whole. They do require budget and organizational buy-in but can pay significant emotional and financial dividends. To learn more, access this caring for the caregiver resource.
Next Steps
Burnout is a problem that does not pop up overnight and can’t be solved in a day. However, we are not helpless in the face of distress, and as individuals and leaders, we can take concrete steps to help ourselves and others.
The authors would like to acknowledge and recommend the following resources:
Strategies and Resources for Taking Care of Yourself and Others: Colorado Healthcare Ethics Resource, https://cohcwcovidsupport.org/
Gratitude Practices
Screening Yourself or Others for Burnout: Professional Quality of Life Scale for Health Workers, https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/dfc1e1a0-a1db-4456-9391-18746725179b/downloads/ProQOL%20Health%20-%20Ver%201_branded.pdf?ver=1690574904160
Joint Commission Resources
The Buddy System: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/buddy-system.pdf
The RISE Program: Resilience in Stressful Events: https://marylandpatientsafety.org/caregiver/
Susan Diaz, CPCS, CPMSM, was formerly the Director of Medical Staff at New York Presbyterian Hospital and is a member of the CPEP Board of Directors.
Bill O’Neill, MBA, is the director of outreach and communication for CPEP.