It’s time for healthcare organizations to take ownership of burnout

The World Health Organization has recently defined burnout as an official medical diagnosis, explaining it as a syndrome that results “from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is character­ized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” According to Laura Hamill, PhD, chief science officer and chief people officer for the Limeade Insti­tute, an evidence-based research firm, since the prob­lem of burnout is unique to the workplace, the responsi­bility of solving it should fall squarely on the workplace’s shoulders.

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