Burnout in healthcare professionals

S Afr Fam Pract (2004). 2026 Mar 2;68(1):e1-e5. doi: 10.4102/safp.v68i1.6235.

ABSTRACT

Burnout is a work-related syndrome recognised by the World Health Organization and included in the International Classification of Diseases 11th revision (ICD-11) as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and a reduced sense of professional accomplishment, it predominantly affects healthcare professionals exposed to sustained emotional and organisational demands at the workplace. Global evidence indicates that nearly half of practising clinicians experience burnout, with higher prevalence in emergency medicine, anaesthesiology, surgical subspecialities, radiology, internal medicine, family medicine and primary healthcare, as well as among registrars and students. Burnout is a syndrome that is closely associated with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and increased suicide risk, while compromising patient safety through elevated rates of diagnostic and medication errors. Contributing factors include excessive workloads, administrative burden, limited autonomy, poor work-life balance, and misalignment of personal and institutional values. Effective management requires a dual focus: individual strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, and stress-management programmes, and organisational reforms including workload optimisation, streamlining electronic documentation, leadership development, and value alignment. When recognised early and addressed comprehensively, burnout is reversible with improved clinician well-being and enhanced patient outcomes. A coordinated response from healthcare institutions, professional councils, and policymakers is essential to safeguard the workforce and sustain high-quality health services. This article aims to provide readers with evidence-based strategies to help themselves or to support a colleague who may be experiencing burnout.

PMID:41773402 | DOI:10.4102/safp.v68i1.6235