Combating Burnout among Family Practitioners: The Role of Self-Care and Organizational Support

Abstract

Despite the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals, particularly family practitioners, is a pressing concern that has far-reaching implications for the well-being of both caregivers and patients. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment [1], has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including increased medical errors, reduced patient satisfaction, and a decline in overall healthcare quality [2]. The demanding nature of healthcare, especially in primary care settings, necessitates a proactive approach to self-care to mitigate these risks. Family practitioners often find themselves at the front lines of healthcare, dealing with a spectrum of challenges that span from the clinical to the bureaucratic. The chronic stress associated with these demands can lead to the symptoms of burnout. It is therefore crucial that self-care strategies be viewed not as luxuries, but as essential components of professional practice [3].