Strategies for Individuals 5. The Mayo Clinic provided a self-evaluation questionnaire below to help us all assess our risk for work burnout.
The Mayo Clinic Burnout Questionnaire
§ Do you question the value of your work? § Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started? § Do you feel removed from your work and the people you work with? § Have you lost patience with co-workers, customers, or clients? § Do you lack the energy to do your job well? § Is it hard to focus on your job? § Do you feel little satisfaction from what you get done? § Do you feel let down by your job? § Do you doubt your skills and abilities? § Are you using food, drugs, or alcohol to feel better or to numb how you feel? § Have your sleep habits changed? § Do you have headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints with no known cause?
Fortunately, evidence-based strategies are available for individuals to implement that can address these symptoms. Simple, but effective solutions may include:
§ Spot the symptoms in yourself. § Know when you are working too hard. § Avoid blaming yourself. § Seek support from colleagues and friends. § Take regular breaks. § Use mindfulness. § Exercise § Meditation
§ Sleep § Avoid unnecessary job stressors. § Learn to say “no.” § Change your perspective: a “crisis” may not really be a crisis. § Be kind to colleagues and students. § Teach your students these strategies and role model this behavior.
The administration at all levels of the workplace (Boards, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans, and Chairs) has the responsibility to create a workplace that reduces the potential of burnout among their employees. Kelly, Berkman, et al. (2021) suggest that strategically changing workplace conditions to foster worker well-being not only improves worker health but can also bring about beneficial organizational outcomes such as improved job performance (including increased productivity) and lower levels of employee burnout. Their suggestions below, are applicable in all workplaces, including healthcare organizations: 1. Give workers more control over how they work. 2. To the extent possible, allow for flexibility in when they work. Responsibilities of Institutions 6.
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