Well-being in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Synopsis Burnout among critical care personnel has increased due to the additional psychological and physical demands of caring for critically ill patients with limited resources. Factors that increase the risk of burnout include compassion fatigue, lack of control over the work environment, difficult interpersonal relationships, and constant exposure to end-of-life issues. Organizational commitment to physician wellbeing depends on improving workplace efficiency, recognizing stressors at in the critical care environment and providing resources to help manage staffing shortages. Community building, training in communication, and team-building strategies are important steps in building collaboration and camaraderie in the workplace.

The positive impact of COVID-19 on critical care: from unprecedented challenges to transformative changes, from the perspective of young intensivists

“…The 2020 National Physician Burnout and Suicide Report showed a 44% rate of burnout among ICU physicians [ 151 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased this rate not only due to dying patients [ 152 ] but also to additional physical and psychological demands with a poor recognition of their work [ 153 , 154 ]. We are at a watershed moment for caregivers and proffering “resilience” as the solution to the burn-out crisis is no longer acceptable [ 155 ].…”

“…To improve healthcare professionals’ ICU experience, policy makers should provide a more motivating, positive work environment to foster emotional well-being and empathy [ 156 , 157 ] through multiscale interventions [ 158 ]. Notably, fostering communication among the team and with external consultants (dedicated training in communication and conflict resolution, multidisciplinary rounds [ 159 ]) and giving access to well-being programs [ 148 , 160 , 161 ] should be promoted to mitigate burn-out symptoms.…”