Burnout in junior doctors is a worrying trend in Irish hospitals. Recent studies indicate that 72% of doctors experienced symptoms of burn out during their intern year (O’Connor et. al, 2017).
Burn out is associated with poor health, depression, anger, irritability and sub optimal patient care. Including discharging patients early to ease their load as well as strong feelings of guilt associated with their sub optimal performance (Thomas, 2004). From a health service delivery perspective, reducing physician burnout may be an effective method of improving the patient experience (Golda, 2019). Therefore, it is vital that more proactive strategies are implemented to reverse the burn out trend in Ireland.
The aim of this exciting research project is to explore potential burn out targeted strategies that could be implement in the Irish healthcare setting. An extensive systematic review will be conducted to identify burn out interventions used in healthcare settings worldwide. Including details of the participant numbers, intervention, and quantitative and qualitative outcomes. Using this approach will help to identify strategies to reduce the prevalence of burnout and enhance patient doctor relationship.