Burnout in Burn Care: A Call to Care for Ourselves and Each Other

I remember first being hit with the visceral impact of burnout when reading Trauma Stewardship by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk. The authors begin this now-classic text, intended to help those in caring professions also care for themselves, by describing a visit to a beautiful Caribbean island. Van Dernoot Lipsky was on a hike with her family when reflecting on the natural beauty around her, only to find her mind drifting to a darker thought—"I wonder how many people have killed themselves by jumping off these cliffs."

For those of us in burn care, a similar mental reflex might occur when watching a fireworks display, cooking a meal with family, or even pumping gas. Much more than a mere workplace hazard, burnout threatens to sap the vitality from our personal and professional lives.

What is Burnout?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as "a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." Burnout is characterized by three primary dimensions: feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. By now, you've probably heard the signs many times—from physical tension, headaches, or fatigue to emotional exhaustion and reduced work satisfaction.

If you're a busy professional reading this magazine between meetings or over a quick lunch, you might be thinking, so what? Well, the consequences of burnout are far-reaching. In 2022, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on health worker burnout, outlining its wide-ranging impacts. These include consequences for:

• Health workers: Insomnia, anxiety, substance use, and relationship challenges.

• Patients: Reduced time with providers, lower quality care, and suffering the effects of medical errors.

• Healthcare systems: Increased costs, workforce shortages, and decreased patient satisfaction.

The effects of burnout don't just end at the hospital. The broader community and society are also impacted by burnout, including the erosion of public trust in healthcare systems, widening health disparities, and worsening population health outcomes.

Burnout in Burn Care

It will not surprise you to read that burn care professionals are not immune from burnout in this field. Over the past several years, researchers and clinicians have repeatedly shown that compassion fatigue, emotional distress, and burnout affect the burn care community. In one small study of burn center staff—nurses, physical therapists, and more—91% reported experiencing at least one symptom of burnout. Alarmingly, another study found that rates of burnout and compassion fatigue among burn care professionals are consistently higher than those in other specialties, including intensive care.

In other words, burn care is a deeply rewarding field, but it is also uniquely demanding and exhausting—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What Can We Do?

Two things are true: every burn care professional reading this article is responsible for caring for themselves, but the responsibility is not yours alone.

Systemic Accountability

The hospitals and clinics in which we work, the administrators and managers, and even broader cultural expectations of unrealistic working hours (RVU requirements, anyone?) play a big role in the development of burnout. Factors such as one's workload, control over work tasks, or community at work can either hurt or help when it comes to burnout, and healthcare organizations need to do their part.

Individual Responsibility

After we advocate for change, we must continue caring for ourselves, setting appropriate boundaries at work, and connecting with supportive colleagues—because, after all, systemic reform can take years.

Start with awareness. Check-in with yourself regularly. Are you fully present in your daily life? Have colleagues or loved ones noticed changes in your behavior or mood? As Phoenix Society recognizes, nothing heals people like other people. If you're struggling, lean on community. Organizations like Phoenix Society and the American Burn Association (ABA) offer affinity groups and resources tailored to burn care professionals. If you feel your engagement at work fading, I recommend connecting with peers, prioritizing self-care, and tapping into field-specific resources, such as the American Occupational Therapy Association's wellness initiatives.

I've spent a lot of time discussing the challenges we face in burn care, but let's not lose sight of what keeps us here. For me, it's the sense of meaning and continuity over time. I never wonder if this work has a positive impact on our patients because I see it every day. I've watched survivors and families not only recover from a burn injury but thrive, building beautiful, resilient lives in their "new normal."

Burn care is a calling, but it's also a responsibility—to yourself, your colleagues, and your patients. However you choose to care for yourself—whether it's advocating for change, finding solace in a quiet moment with loved ones, or leaning on the support of this incredible community—remember that your well-being matters. When you nurture yourself, you're also strengthening the burn community as a whole. Keep filling your cup because the work we do is vital, and you are essential.

Nathan H. Brown, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist. Dr. Brown is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry for LSU Health Sciences Center and the dedicated Psychologist at the Burn Center at University Medical Center, New Orleans. He is also a Phoenix Society SOAR Coordinator and facilitates a long-running Burn Survivor Support Group. His professional interests include health and burn psychology, psychotherapy with Latinx patients, clinical supervision, and multicultural competence in mental health treatment.

Disclaimer: The medical information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical knowledge is continually evolving, and recommendations may change over time. Content shared by subject matter experts reflects their expertise and experience at the time of publication and may not be applicable to all individuals. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. The views expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect those of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.