Supporting healthcare workers with work related stress and burnout

A recent article in the British Medical Journal discusses work-related stress and burnout in healthcare workers. These are important problems in the NHS workforce in the UK a well as amongst healthcare workers in other countries. Addressing the underlying cause, which may relate to factors such as workplace demand, relationships, and support is necessary for sustained recovery and full engagement with work.

Healthcare workers may experience guilt or shame due to stigma, preventing them from seeking help if they experience work related mental illness. Time off work and workplace changes to control the triggers may be necessary to allow recovery and sustainable return to work.

Healthcare workers experiencing work related stress can seek support from colleagues, their own GP, occupational health, and specialised services for healthcare workers such as local mental health and wellbeing hubs and NHS Practitioner Health.

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