The latest version of the International Classification of Diseases from the World Health Organization has a startling new entry: for the first time, it officially classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon. Previous editions have referred to burnout as a “state of vital exhaustion” but stopped short of linking it to the workplace. Now the WHO describes burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” including the following factors:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
- reduced professional efficacy
Next on the WHO’s agenda where burnout is concerned is to develop evidence-based guidelines for workplace mental health. JUCM covered the topic of clinician burnout in the urgent care setting. You can read Provider Burnout Is Real; Show Compassion for Yourself in our archive.