Physician Burnout Presents Differently in Male and Female Doctors

Physician Burnout – Gender Differences in Burnout Symptoms.

Numerous studies have shown that an average of 1 in 3 practicing physicians are suffering from symptomatic physician Burnout on any given office day … worldwide, regardless of specialty.

The three classic signs and symptoms of physician Burnout are measured by a standardized evaluation; the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). They are:

1) Emotional Exhaustion

The doctor is tapped out after the office day, hospital rounds or being on call and is unable to recover with time off. Over time their energy level begins to follow a downward spiral.

2) “Depersonalization”

This shows up as cynicism or a negative, callous, excessively detached response to their job duties. Often burned out doctors will begin to blame and complain about their patients and their problems.

3) “Reduced Accomplishment”

Here the doctor starts to question whether they are offering quality care and whether what they do really matters at all.

As more female doctors move into the workforce, researchers are beginning to notice differences in the way physician Burnout presents in men and women.

If you think for a moment about the three scales of the MBI, you will probably be able to imagine the differences. Here is what groundbreaking research published in 2011 is showing. 

NOTE:
This study is based on practicing physicians.
There is good reason to believe the following Burnout symptom patterns
are true in ANY stressful profession such as Therapists, Law Enforcement,
Military personnel and even Parenting.

The Female Pattern:

Women suffering from physician burnout seem to follow the classic three part pattern of the MBI above – in that order.

Stage One:

Burnout in female doctors starts with Emotional Exhaustion. Women traditionally support others in numerous areas of their lives … at home and at work. There is only so much energy and giving to go around.

Stage Two:

Depersonalization and cynicism. This is a dysfunctional coping mechanism. It feels somewhat better for an instant in time and yet does nothing to relieve the feeling of exhaustion. Cynicism is especially difficult for women to keep up for very long before stage three kicks in.

Stage Three:

Reduced Accomplishment and doubting the quality of their practice and the difference their work makes in their patients lives.

The Male Pattern:

Stage One:

Men more commonly start physician burnout with depersonalization and cynicism which serves as a coping mechanism for overwhelming stress. “My patients are such a bunch of $%@+!%”. This is, again, a dysfunctional response to the inherent stress of being a doctor and is only a temporary relief. After all, these are the people you spent decades learning to serve.

Stage Two:

Emotional exhaustion follows. It worsens until they are no longer able to cope.

Stage Three:

By comparison to the female physician Burnout pattern, men’s stage three is remarkable for it’s absence. Male physicians are far less likely to feel that the symptoms of stages one and two affect the quality of the care they offer. This leads to a cynical, exhausted male physician who keeps going despite Burnout because they feel they are still a “good doctor”. This lack of a phase three allows them to continue to practice in denial of their distress despite the exhaustion and cynicism their coworkers and patients witness on the job.

Early Warning Signs by Gender

If you are a practicing physician – or a worker in any job you where you are feeling stressed – here are the early warning signs of physician Burnout to watch for.

Women:

Exhaustion and a feeling of not being able to recharge your batteries, followed by early signs of blaming your patients or clients.

Men:

Cynicism and blaming your patients or clients, followed by exhaustion and falling energy and engagement.

When you notice these signs, take a breath and a break.
Recognize them for what they are – Burnout.

This is a cue

• Step back
• Take a breath
• Start taking better care of your own personal needs
• Create some boundaries for a more balanced life

You, your staff, your patients and your family will be glad you did.

Here is a link to an online copy of the research publication
referenced in this blog post