Dr. Abernethy Discusses Burnout in Palliative Care Clinicians

Amy P. Abernethy, MD, PhD, associate professor, School of Nursing, director, Duke Center for Learning Health Care, Duke University School of Medicine, discusses a survey that evaluated burnout among palliative care clinicians in the United States.

Abernethy says burnout is often categorized into three key areas: emotional exhaustion, de-personalization or cynicism, and a sense of loss of professional fulfillment. The survey showed high levels of emotional exhaustion is prevalent at rates of almost 60% in the hospice and palliative medicine workforce. This was inclusive of physician and non-physician professionals, Abernethy says.

The study also showed that 25% of healthcare professionals experienced de-personalization in both groups. Abernethy says when combining the group of high emotional exhaustion and de-personalization, the rate is 60-70%.

To put this information into context, it has been recorded that about 50% of emergency medical professionals experience burnout.