Causes of Stress and Burnout in Physicians Caring for the Chronically and Terminally Ill

SUMMARY

Stress in physicians who care for the chronically and terminally ill may be manifest in the areas of personal psychological difficulties including depression, drug abuse, suicide, post-traumatic stress, disorder, and interpersonal stress including difficulties with family and marital relationships. Physicians may find themselves receiving decreasing satisfaction from their work with patients and colleagues. Physicians are encouraged to step back from this treadmill and analyze these aspects of their lives and to explore new ways of reflecting and prioritizing so that the practice of medicine does not run their lives. A broader, richer life view including prioritizing personal psychological health, open sharing in interpersonal relations, give and take in work relations, and interactions with patients that are not just based on fighting illness is discussed. Hospice provides a unique model that reinforces this broader view of medical practice.

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Notes on contributors

Catherine A. Martin

Dr. Martin is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Her research, clinical and teaching interests include the psychological sequelae of rape, stress in women physicians and the psychological impact of malpractice in physicians.

Rachel A. Julian

Dr. Julian is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In addition to her specialty training in psychiatry, she has a Master of Divinity Degree and is interested in the interface of psychiatry and religion.