Burnt out?
- Beth Amato
Experts in psychiatry, psychology, and ergonomics explain how burnout manifests and what we can do about it.
Burnout can look like depression, but it is distinctly related to workplace stressors.
When a catastrophic fire ripped through Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) in 2021 during the height of the 雷速体育_雷速体育直播 pandemic, it destroyed millions of rands of medical equipment and disrupted critical patient care. The damage to physical infrastructure was only one part of the hospital’s inferno – almost half (46.2%) of healthcare professionals profiled in a 2021 study were burnt out, with little improvement since.
“During 雷速体育_雷速体育直播 burnout was high amongst healthcare workers, particularly as they were working long hours and had to take on multiple roles when there were gaps in services,” says lead author Dr Nazeema Ariefdien, a Lecturer in the Psychiatry Department at Wits University and Head of Psychiatry at CMJAH.
Frazzled young doctors
The CMJAH staff study revealed that those in their work prime (20-39 years old) were more likely to suffer burnout and interns were found to be three times more likely to burn out than specialists. Furthermore, interns’ mental health declined, potentially leading to errors in clinical judgment and breaches in infection control, especially as this is an inexperienced group.
“When a healthcare worker resigns or is absent because they’re burnt out, there’s no one to replace them, so the workload gets heavier for those who remain, and in turn, they might leave or be sick. It’s a vicious cycle. What’s important is that we build resilience, and we improve the institutional structures that promote mental wellbeing,” says Ariefdien.
Diagnosing burnout?
Burnout consists of three elements: high emotional exhaustion (chronic fatigue, low motivation); high depersonalisation (a feeling of distance from one’s job, cynicism, and negativity); and low personal accomplishment.
Kerry Gordon, Counselling Psychologist in the Wits Counselling and Careers Development Unit, says that burnout is about “not having enough” – not enough energy, hope, or motivation. “Others feel resentful toward work, become disengaged and tired, and compromise productivity. Burnout can look a lot like depression but it is linked directly to work stress. Some people get sicker more often. Their immunity is lower, or they are experiencing more pain.”
Resilience when lockdown lingers
Ariefdien and colleagues established the Healthcare Workers Care Network. At CMJAH, Ariefdien, a proponent of the 10 minute ‘mini-break,’ helped create a rest area where nurses and doctors could relax and enjoy a free coffee.
“It’s vital that there are designated rest breaks. Often this is seen as an expense or an impossibility. But the long-term loss in productivity and the ultimate cost to the institution and company outweigh the perceived costs and time it takes to promote burnout prevention.”
Ariefdien doesn’t believe that we’ll ever get back to ‘pre-雷速体育_雷速体育直播 normal’, and says that organisational culture, management, and infrastructure are vital in promoting resilience. “This means that work/life balance should be respected and encouraged, that contributions are acknowledged, that work is adequately financially compensated, unreasonable deadlines are not imposed, and that bullying and sexual harassment are minimised and promptly addressed.”
Working from home and blurred boundaries
Ariefdien says that working from home in whatever sector increases the risk of burnout. “Many people thought it would be ideal, but working from home means your home environment is no longer a sanctuary. The separation of work and life is very important. People also tend to work longer hours and are usually available online at any time. Boundaries are blurred.”
She recommends office-based work environments to bolster support networks and develop stronger collegial relationships.
Gordon thinks that the transition to working from home was good for some but not for others. “If it does work, it means you have good boundaries between work and the rest of your life. It means having a set routine and a structure,” she says.
Burnt holes in wallets
What can we do about burnout in a country where so many must work long and hard to afford even?the?basics?
“This is a difficult one because it’s not always possible to leave a toxic job when the economy is struggling,” says Gordon, although certain things are in your power, she says. “I would encourage self-awareness about what stress looks like for you. I would also encourage open communication with your manager to find ways to boost productivity and maintain mental health.”?
If you’re already burnt out, Gordon suggests resting including taking the leave allocated to you and switching off completely during that time. Other burnout mitigating tips include:?
- Have a ‘ritual’ to begin and end the workday,?
- Set yourself a schedule and allocate rest time to shut down from work, and
- Practise mindfulness. A simple exercise is to notice three things that you can see, three things that you can touch, and three things that you can hear.
Office layout impacts mood, productivity
Professor Andrew Thatcher in the School of Human and Community Development, says that the layout of an office space should facilitate the different types of work people are doing and at different times of the day.
“There should be a quiet space for focused working and then private spaces for meetings. Office spaces should allow for this flexibility,” says Thatcher, who is an expert in ergonomics and environment-human-technology interaction.
Moreover, working environments should also encourage flow and activity, such as taking the stairs and getting up from one’s desk to speak to a colleague. He explains that a well-designed office space can improve wellbeing. The ambient environment is important, and a lot of noise, for example, can disturb someone’s ability to work.
As much natural light in the space as possible is also important, although glare on computer screens should be minimised.
“Temperature is another important aspect of a well-designed office space. In more sedentary settings, the temperature can be higher than in workspaces that require more activity.”
Enhance office space?for hybrid workers to encourage office-based activities.
Thatcher explains that although hybrid work arrangements were prevalent before 雷速体育_雷速体育直播, it’s important to show the appeal of working in an office rather than at home.
“Ideally, we want to encourage workers to come back into the office space. We want the office space to facilitate social interaction and to foster creativity and productivity.”
He notes that offices should cater to a diversity of people and tasks. “The current trend is designing for activity-based working.”
- Beth Amato is a freelance writer.
- This article first appeared in?Curiosity,?a research magazine produced by?Wits Communications?and the?Research Office.
- Read more in the 18th issue, themed #Work, which delves into the evolving nature of work, shaped by societal shifts, technological advances, and equity challenges.