Westfield Health has offered several tips on how to manage heavy workloads and avoid “burn out”.
It comes after research from the Society of Occupational Medicine found GPs are at greater risk of work-related stress, burnout, depression and anxiety than the general population.
However, Richard Holmes, director of wellbeing at Westfield Health, partner of the Society of Occupational Medicine, said failure to cope is a widespread issue which stretches further than the healthcare industry.
His first tip for avoiding burn out is having a support system in place.
“In every industry, it’s crucial employees are provided guidance from line managers and senior management. This structure will support the mental health and wellbeing of employees, with emotional guidance and encouragement,” he explained.
He also suggested employees are trained in how to differentiate between pressure and stress, and develop their own mental coping strategies.
“Levels of pressure and weaknesses are different for everyone, so employees should be encouraged to develop a self-awareness, in order to identify the signs and symptoms when they are stretching beyond these,” said Holmes.
Other tips include ensuring staff aren’t regularly working beyond their contracted hours, and building upon empathy and emotional intelligence to reduce feelings of emotional exhaustion.
“It’s also important to take plenty of breaks and rest time throughout the day, and take time to speak to colleagues and friends about non-work related subjects to allow time to be removed from the working environment,” Holmes added.