In hospitals and clinics across America, a silent crisis continues to unfold. Healthcare professionals—those we rely on in our most vulnerable moments—are experiencing unprecedented levels of burnout. The alarming trend, which began well before the pandemic but intensified dramatically during it, threatens not only the wellbeing of medical workers but the stability of our healthcare system itself.
Recent data from the CDC paints a concerning picture: Nearly half (46%) of health workers reported often feeling burned out in 2022, a significant increase from 32% in 2018. Perhaps even more troubling, 44% of health workers intended to look for a new job in 2022, compared to just 33% in 2018. These statistics reflect a workforce in distress, with potential ramifications for patient care quality, medical errors, and staffing shortages.
Burnout manifests in various ways: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment. For healthcare workers, it often appears as cynicism toward patients, detachment from their work, and physical symptoms including insomnia, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
Burnout in healthcare is unique because it combines intense emotional labor with high-stakes decision-making and increasingly burdensome administrative demands. Many professionals enter this field with deep compassion and idealism, only to find systems that make delivering the care they envision nearly impossible.
While systemic changes are essential for addressing the root causes of burnout, individual strategies can help healthcare workers build resilience. These approaches don’t place the burden of fixing broken systems on individuals but rather offer tools for navigating challenging environments while advocating for change.
First, boundary-setting proves critical. This involves deliberately scheduling time away from work, limiting after-hours emails and calls, and learning to say no to additional responsibilities when already stretched thin. For many healthcare workers, establishing clear work-life boundaries represents an unfamiliar but necessary practice.
The culture of medicine often glorifies self-sacrifice to the point of self-harm. Recalibrating this mindset to recognize that your own wellbeing directly impacts patient care quality is not selfish—it’s essential professional practice.
Second, finding meaningful connection with colleagues creates powerful protection against burnout. Peer support groups, whether formal or informal, provide safe spaces to process difficult experiences and validate shared challenges. Simple practices like regular coffee meetups with trusted colleagues or participating in team debriefs after difficult cases can significantly reduce isolation.
Third, mindfulness practices offer evidence-based tools for managing stress. Brief mindfulness exercises—even just three minutes of focused breathing between patient encounters—can help reset the nervous system and increase present-moment awareness.
The beauty of mindfulness for healthcare workers is that it doesn’t require additional time outside of an already chaotic schedule. It’s about bringing quality attention to what you’re already doing, whether that’s washing hands between patients, walking down a hospital corridor, or listening to a patient’s concerns.
Finally, seeking professional support remains vital. Many healthcare workers hesitate to access mental health services due to stigma or licensing concerns. However, confidential resources exist specifically designed for medical professionals, including employee assistance programs and specialized therapy services.
Addressing healthcare burnout requires both individual and systemic approaches. While healthcare workers can implement personal strategies to build resilience, healthcare organizations must simultaneously work to create environments where wellbeing is prioritized through reasonable workloads, adequate staffing, and cultures that value self-care as professional responsibility rather than personal indulgence.
The health of our healthcare system depends on it.
Stephen Ebbett
Stephen Ebbett is the Chief Marketing Officer at AMFM Healthcare, a nationwide leader in mental health treatment offering a full continuum of care for those struggling with mental health challenges. A mission-driven and strategic marketing leader, Stephen has spent two decades spearheading initiatives that expand access to care, remove barriers for individuals seeking treatment, and connect people with the life-changing support they need.
Stephen’s leadership is rooted in a clear mission: to make mental health care more accessible to those in need. At AMFM Healthcare, he champions efforts that simplify the path to treatment, ensuring individuals and families can navigate the complexities of mental health care with ease. His team is dedicated to increasing visibility, expanding reach, and connecting more people to high-quality, compassionate care.
Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Theology from Durham University, along with a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK.
