burnout

(bŭrn′owt″ )

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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. Working people identify at least six domains that impact burnout: the workload; the rewards of work; the fellowship of others (“community” or “collegiality”) at work; the perceived fairness of the organization in which one works (as well as its values); and personal well-being.

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