Abstract

Mini Review

Understanding Burnout Rates for Clinicians and Physical Symptoms of Allostatic Load

Breshell Jackson Nevels*, Tamice Jones, Derek A Nevels, Bruce Copeland, Teloria Sutton and Linda Askew

Published: 07 January, 2025 | Volume 9 - Issue 1 | Pages: 011-015

Burnout among clinicians is a pressing concern worldwide, manifesting as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy. This article explores the intersection of burnout and allostatic load, the physiological burden resulting from chronic stress, to elucidate the consequences for healthcare providers. Burnout impacts clinicians’ mental and physical health, leading to compromised patient care, reduced job satisfaction, and increased attrition rates. A comparative analysis of recent scholarly works reveals converging evidence on systemic contributors such as excessive workloads, inadequate support systems, and organizational inefficiencies, further compounded by individual vulnerabilities like lack of resilience. These challenges have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has significantly increased stress levels among healthcare professionals globally. 
This article synthesizes insights from studies conducted between 2020 and 2024, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches to mitigate burnout. It highlights the physiological underpinnings of allostatic load, including chronic dysregulation of stress-response systems that predispose clinicians to adverse health outcomes like cardiovascular diseases, immune dysfunction, and mental health disorders. To address these issues, the article proposes a multidimensional strategy encompassing organizational reforms, evidence-based interventions, and policy advocacy. Recommendations include reducing administrative burdens, fostering supportive work environments, and integrating wellness programs targeting both systemic and individual stressors. Limitations and directions for future research emphasize the importance of inclusive, longitudinal studies focusing on diverse populations to develop tailored solutions. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance clinician well-being and improve healthcare outcomes globally.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.acr.1001122 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Burnout; Allostatic load; Healthcare; Systemic stress; Clinician well-being; Resilience; COVID-19

References

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  2. National Academy of Medicine. Taking Action against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-Being. 2021.
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