Taking time to heal: poetry writing and healthcare provider burnout

Abstract

ABSTRACT Healthcare professionals are increasingly suffering from burnout. Poetry writing should be considered as a resource to reduce symptoms of burnout. The effects of poetry writing have been studied in clinical settings for both health professionals and for patients, and benefits have been found for both groups. Healthcare workers suffering from burnout occupy a unique position as both patient and provider, and so may “double-dip” into the benefits that poetry writing provides both patients and practitioners.