burnout

(bŭrn′owt″)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.


1. Rendering unserviceable by excessive heat.
2. Exhaustion owing to chronic job stress. It is characterized by physical and emotional fatigue and sometimes physical illness. Frustration from a perceived inability to end the stresses and problems associated with powerlessness in one's job contribute to loss of concern for patients or good job performance. Health care professionals are esp. prone to burnout, particularly those working in highly stressful conditions.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.