Healthcare professionals are committed to providing care, education, support, treatment, counsel and advocacy for patients with MS. During this time, personal and meaningful relationships are formed between the healthcare professionals and the person with MS and family members. There are times of sadness for the person with MS and family members, when the diagnosis is given and then during the changes and challenges that MS brings into their lives. This can be an emotional, stressful and challenging time for the healthcare professionals too. Healthcare professionals need to develop coping strategies in order to keep well themselves so that they can continue to support, care for and inspire hope in people with MS.
Some signs of stress and emotional burnout
• Exhaustion and sleep disturbance
• Headaches and increased susceptibility to illness
• Distancing from colleagues and patients
• Negative self image
• Depression, anger
• Impaired ability to make decisions and care for patients
Stress factors which may lead to burnout
• Work overload in your practice, and/or staff shortages
• Working in an isolated situation without the support of other team members
• Unrealistic expectations of oneself or the treatments given
• Watching patients progress in disability – despite all interventions
• No time for self reflection and assessment
• Poor relationships and poor communication with other colleagues
• No recognition for your achievements and skills
• Lack of supervision and mentoring
• No division between home and the workplace – taking work home with you
• An inadequate knowledge base and lack of experience in MS
Coping strategies for self care
• Develop a peer support network
• Attend regular team meetings and schedule times with colleagues
• Recognise the importance of supervision – have a qualified supervisor to offer supportive and educational oversight
• Guard your daily schedule – be available but not to constant interruptions
• Continue your education – increase your competency and knowledge of MS
• Keep your sense of humour and cultivate creative thinking
• Take regular exercise and maintain a balanced diet
• Separate home and work – “switch off” when you leave work
• Take holidays/vacations at regular intervals
• Allow time for yourself and your family
• Keep a diary of feelings and experiences
• Take one day at a time
• Take time out to discuss emotionally difficult situations when clinical cases are reviewed
• Time management – plan ahead and stick
to it
• Decline extra commitments – learn to say “no”
Burnout is a risk for all health care professionals – prevent it by caring for yourself.
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