Being a clinician can be extremely satisfying as well as stressful. Unfortunately, much of the research on burnout worldwide is from oncology. However, this does not imply that other branches of medicine or, for that matter, other professions are immune to the impact of stress and strain.
We should also acknowledge that a significant risk factor of work-related stress is due to overwork in resource-poor settings. No amount of multi-tasking, efficiency audits, improvement of operational processes or well-being initiatives can replace the impact of a robust, harmonious team that is adequately staffed. This is supported by a high-impact review published in the Lancet in 2004, showing that despite the technological advances made in medicine over the past century, the density of human resources for healthcare delivery is an essential determinant of the health outcome of the population.
Let us learn from Prof Rajiv Sarin, Professor of Radiation Oncology and In-Charge Cancer Genetics Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital & Advanced Centre for Treatment Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Mumbai, about how he feels about mental health at work. Prof Sarin has also been a Director of ACTREC and manages a large team, and his words resonate with many doctors around the country.
References:
- Anand, S and Bärnighausen,T (2004) “Human Resources and Health Outcomes: Cross-Country Econometric Study.” Lancet 364 (9445): 1603–9.10.4103/ijmpo.ijmpo_168_17 (Access here)