Burnout in Medicine Leads to Reduction in Effectiveness

Burnout in Medicine

As I often say on Instagram, “Let’s talk about the exhaustion that comes with being a doctor returning home…” (March 2024). That familiar moment—when the day feels like a race you didn’t sign up for—is one we all know too well.

Why Burnout Feels Inevitable for Many Physicians

Burnout is more than just being tired. It’s exhaustion, cynicism, and a profound sense of reduced effectiveness—what experts describe as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low professional efficacy  .

In the U.S., distressingly over half of all physicians—active and in training—experience burnout symptoms. Many of us enter medicine driven by purpose and compassion, only to be worn down by endless documentation, EHR frustrations, and administrative overload—often spending two hours on paperwork for every one hour of patient care.

Add to that long hours—51 per week on average, with many exceeding 60—and you’ve got a recipe for relentless fatigue and disillusionment.

Burnout Isn’t Just Bad for Us, It’s Risky for Patients

When we’re burned out, clinical judgment blurs, empathy wanes, communication suffers—and the risk of medical errors climbs dramatically. The ripple effect? Lower patient satisfaction, compromised trust, and increased healthcare costs.

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The Personal Toll

You’ve also seen me say, “Patients often think I have my life together… I am briefly honest with them.”  It’s a façade we’re expected to uphold—even as we paint or find solace on our off days to stay grounded (yes, I mentioned painting on my days off–I am thinking about selling some of my paintings. Let me know if you are interested!)  .

And behind our internal monologues: “Life isn’t perfect… ups and downs…”  —a truth too often hidden beneath professionalism and burden.

So What Helps—Individually and Systemically

Burnout isn’t a character flaw—it’s a sign of unsustainable systems. However, there are meaningful interventions:

At the individual level:

• Practice self-awareness: Pause with the HALT method—Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?.

• Prioritize nourishment and recovery: Even brief mindfulness, rest, or a hobby like painting can make a difference.

• Seek connection and honesty: Sharing our struggles fosters belonging and normalizes vulnerability. Sign up for health coaching with me and I can help you build your boundaries, prioritize your health and wellness and BE CONSISTENT. 

• Consider coaching or therapy support—recognizing burnout is not weakness; it’s wisdom.

On a broader scale:

• Advocate for streamlined workflows. Initiatives like “beyond getting rid of stupid stuff in the EHR” aim to reduce documentation burdens.

• Demand structural change. Burnout is driven by systems that require us to do more with less—not by our commitment or compassion. Stand up for yourself. 

Closing Thoughts

Medicine is a calling—but it shouldn’t mean sacrificing ourselves. Burnout emerges not from a lack of resilience, but from systems and expectations that push beyond human limits.

If you feel like the weight is too heavy today—know this: you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

Let’s continue being “briefly honest”—with our colleagues, our patients, and ourselves. Healing begins with empathy—and that includes self-empathy.

Thank you for reading the full blog and I hope you continue to care for yourself as you care for hundreds of others!

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Much love,