Unfortunately, clinician burnout remains a widespread issue in the industry, even as the pandemic winds down. According to approximately one-third of clinicians, chronic staffing shortages and unfavorable financial margins contribute to this problem, making burnout the biggest threat to healthcare. Now that COVID is morphing into a variety of Long-COVID disorders and anxieties about global warming are on the rise, cures for burnout are increasingly relying on telehealth.
In mental health, clinician burnout has been documented well before COVID. Dreison and colleagues published a meta-analysis of 35 years worth of research in 2018. They concluded that “person-directed interventions were more effective than organization-directed interventions at reducing emotional exhaustion… and that job training/education was the most effective organizational intervention subtype.” A 2022 systematic review article published by Lluch and colleagues was intended to determine burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction, as well as their associated risks and protective factors, in healthcare professionals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. As can be expected, all factors skyrocketed.
Telehealth Cures for Burnout
Well-educated and proficient clinicians, supported by practice sessions using telehealth platforms, can minimize errors during patient interactions, improving patient experience. For a granular look at these realities, it may be helpful to consider how telehealth and telemedicine offer a way forward for organizations and individual clinicians.
Clinician Cures for Burnout
Flexible scheduling and reduced commuting. Telehealth allows clinicians to have more control over their schedules by eliminating the need for extensive commuting between different healthcare facilities. This flexibility can help reduce stress and fatigue associated with long commutes, allowing clinicians to achieve a better work-life balance.
Remote team collaboration. Telehealth platforms enable clinicians to collaborate with their colleagues remotely, eliminating the need for in-person meetings or consultations. This can help reduce time spent on administrative tasks and increase efficiency, freeing up more time for direct patient care and reducing burnout.
Enhanced access to mental health support. Teletherapy or telecounseling services provide clinicians with convenient access to mental health support, including counseling and therapy sessions. This can be particularly beneficial for clinicians experiencing burnout, as it allows them to seek professional help without the added burden of scheduling and commuting to in-person appointments.
Peer support networks. Telehealth platforms can facilitate the creation of virtual peer support networks, where clinicians can connect and share experiences with colleagues facing similar challenges. Peer support effectively mitigates burnout by providing a safe space for clinicians to discuss their struggles, seek advice, and receive emotional support.
Self-care and wellness programs. Telehealth platforms can host resources and wellness programs specifically tailored to support clinician self-care and well-being. These resources may include educational materials, stress management techniques, mindfulness exercises, and access to wellness programs such as yoga or meditation sessions. Providing easy access to such resources can help clinicians proactively manage their stress and prevent burnout.
Workload management and patient triage. Telehealth platforms can assist with workload management by providing tools for efficient patient triage. Clinicians can use telemedicine to conduct initial assessments, determine the urgency of cases, and prioritize their workload accordingly. This can help prevent feeling
