Burnout, Cognitive Overload, and Metacognition in Medicine

The number of physicians reportedly suffering from burnout, a phenomenon where the individual appears overwhelmed by tasks usually within their competence, has been increasing internationally. Burnout represents a large burden for the medical profession, from undergraduate training to the postgraduate world. The impact of burnout has effects on physician productivity, although the exact effect remain difficult to quantify. By extension, a physician suffering from burnout is likely to have ramifications to the wider team of colleagues. Evidence suggests that, independent to level of experience, the extent of the relationship between burnout and work extends beyond total capacity and directly affects patient safety. The widespread impact on burnout on both the providers and recipients of healthcare is therefore a critical aspect of clinical practice.

Factors affecting the phenomenon of physician burnout have been considered in literature, with reported risk factors being younger age, longer working hours with high workload, low job satisfaction, negative or poor personal relationships and interpersonal demands, job insecurity, and female gender, as well as a weak association with specialty. These findings place physicians in common with other healthcare professions. However, healthcare professions as a group stand apart as particularly prone to burnout. The implication of this suggests that risk factors are shared within the healthcare professions. This may also imply that risk reduction and prevention strategies can be applied across the spectrum. Prior to considering the prevention, it is invaluable to evaluate the stressors associated with healthcare that serve to predispose these professions to burnout.

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