The Handover Ed. 21

Burnout - (bûrnout) 1. cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine

2. exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

The November edition of the Handover is a topic that we are all familiar with, burnout. The daily stress we see & frustration with the system in which we work causes a lot of good people to burnout. I’ve seen turnover rates from 14%-27% in the United States. The text books say that the average “lifespan” of EMS workers in only 5 years.

With so many stories across the news wires about emergency workers ignoring people in need, failing to assess a patient or otherwise shirking their responsibilities, burnout hurts the moral of the service and endangers our patients.

This month I want to look at how we can overcome burnout. Tips, ideas, personal stories on how burnout has affected you or your work environment. Stories of redemption and overcoming the psychological effects of burnout.

Send a link to your submission to rescue_monkey@insightbb.com.

Please send entries in by Wednesday 01 December.

Publication will be on Friday 03 December.