“Burnout” is a word we hear more and more often, but what does it actually mean?
Burnout is a psychological condition that involves feeling emotionally exhausted, cynical or disconnected from your job, and ineffective or as though you are not achieving anything.
Burnout develops when the pressures of work become too intense for too long. Over time, chronic stress can leave people feeling emotionally drained, detached, and doubtful of their own abilities. In 2019, the World Health Organisation formally recognised burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon’ denoting that burnout results from unmanaged work stress and not from personal weakness.
A recent study by Dr Patrick Carr and Dr Shane Kelly (2023) highlights that medical doctors are particularly at risk. Long working hours, rising patient demands, administrative burden, emotional strain and insufficient time for rest and recovery all contribute. In Ireland, a survey during the pandemic found that 90% of doctors had experienced depression, anxiety, or stress linked to their work. Almost 70% were considered at high risk of burnout.
Although Carr & Kelly’s (2023) article focused on GPs and hospital doctors, burnout can affect anyone, in any profession or walk of life. Understanding burnout can help us all recognise it and respond early.
Many people who experience burnout describe it as ‘not feeling like themselves’ anymore. If you recognise these feelings, you are not alone.
Burnout often makes anger feel much closer to the surface. We can behave in ways that are not typical of us – we become impatient, irritable, quick to anger and not because we are bad people but because we are running on empty. When our emotional reserves are depleted, even small irritations can feel like major threats. We might even shout at our children and this is not typical of us (I’ve written about that here). Recognising these early signs in ourselves like our raised voice, or loss of patience, the feeling of being constantly ‘on edge’ – is crucial. These are warning signs – like our bodies waving red flags – telling us that we are no longer coping, that we are in need of rest, support and in need of change, not further endurance.
Becoming more human about burnout means allowing ourselves to notice these signals with honesty and compassion, rather than waiting until we completely fall apart. Recognising our own humanity and our limits is not weakness; it is wisdom.
Doctors carry an enormous emotional and professional burden. Delivering bad news, supporting anxious patients, facing illness and loss, and, managing ever-growing workloads is deeply demanding.
When doctors are burned out, it is not only their health that suffers, but patient care can be affected too. Burnout is linked to a higher risk of errors, lower quality care, and lower job satisfaction. Protecting the wellbeing of Irish medical doctors is essential for everyone.
Prioritise basic self-care: Eat, sleep and hydrate. These seem obvious, but are often the first things neglected when under pressure.
Set realistic boundaries: Perfection is not the goal. Doing your best is enough.
Ask for help: Support from colleagues, counselling, or professional services can make a positive difference.
Take real breaks: Short breaks during the day and longer holidays promote recovery.
Reconnect with meaning: Remember why you chose this work and reconnect with your purpose.
There is value in creating a culture of support at work, where teamwork, open conversations, and peer mentoring are encouraged.
As mentioned, burnout is a natural response to prolonged, unmanaged stress. None of us is impervious – anyone can experience burnout.
Feeling worn down, overwhelmed, or disconnected does not mean you are weak – it means you are human. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is essential for you and for those you serve, whether as a doctor, healthcare provider, in your team at work, or your family.
Burnout is not a medical condition, but a workplace issue. Solving it requires organisational changes and not simply encouraging individual doctors to become more resilient.
“Burnout is like the canary in the coal mine. It is a warning sign of a toxic environment. The solution is to fix the environment, not to toughen up the canary” Dr Christina Maslach
In other words, healthcare leaders and policymakers must address the root causes of burnout; otherwise doctors may leave Ireland for better working conditions abroad.
Carr, P., & Kelly, S. (2023). Burnout in Doctors Practising in Ireland Post Covid-19. Irish medical journal, 116(4), 761.
Maslach C. (2019) Understanding Job Burnout. Youtube: IT Revolution.
Caroline Crotty Counselling & Psychotherapy Limited - 636306 - Suite 7, Block A, South Terrace Medical Centre, Infirmary Road, Cork T12 WF40
Copyright 2021 Caroline Crotty. All rights reserved. Website by 
