How Believing You Don’t Matter Contributes to Healthcare Burnout

One factor contributing to healthcare burnout that is hard to face and rarely talked about is the belief you don’t matter.

Intellectually, we know this isn’t true. But beliefs and emotions run deeper than logic. Consider the subtle (and not so subtle messages) you have received about your role and your value over your career.

If you believe that your work is all about your clients, and not you, it would be very difficult to recognize burnout as anything more than a normal day, or month, or simply part of your profession.

Where does this belief that you don’t matter come from?

1. Your training

Think back to your training for a moment. Were there lectures and conversations about burnout? Something like, “you’re going to see and hear some really traumatic things. Here’s what to do with that pain. Here’s how to take care of yourself in the process”. I don’t recall that dialogue from my therapy training 15 years ago or in any continuing education since. I’m hopeful that formal training is evolving to not only respond to burnout as a “public health crisis” but most importantly, to prevent it.

Everything we do is for the client – from assessment to discharge. Our training is all about them. And rightfully so because we need evidence-based practice to change (and in some instances) save lives.

But consider this - without you, there is no client. There is no provider to see clients if you are burnt out and on sick leave. And if you are still working, and trudging along, I assume that you want to be more than just a warm body? You got into your profession for a reason. You probably want to contribute your talents and strengths, be empathetic, engage, and witness positive outcomes. In other words, you matter a lot if you want to be a valuable helper and not just any helper.

Which brings us to the second reason healthcare providers tend to put themselves last -

2. Your helper identity

It’s a vulnerable act to raise your hand and say I need help, or I can’t take this anymore! We all want to be viewed as competent professionals. Plus, as someone who seeks to serve others, you naturally have the urge to help everyone who asks for it, whenever they ask. That is why, when you get another referral, you accept it even if it means working late and skipping lunch…again. It feels like you have no choice.

The helper identity also carries a lot of stigma about switching seats and being the client. Pay attention and you might hear a little voice saying, “That’s not me. I’m supposed to be the strong one, the expert, the leader. What will my colleagues think of me if they knew I was in such a fog?”. Burnout can leave you feeling like a fraud.

It is time we redefine what strength is. The best way to help yourself and others is to be real with how you’re really doing. We’re all struggling with something. Honesty and humility doesn’t mean dumping your feelings or identifying as a person who is broken. You can be a skilled professional AND experience burnout at the same time. Recovering from burnout is possible once you’ve processed it. Talking to a trusted colleague, partner, family member, friend, or therapist can help.

Chronically putting yourself last is a road to burnout

When the client becomes the whole focus, is it any wonder most healthcare professionals don’t know they are burnt out until it’s too late? Or if they do, they minimize or deny it and press on because after all, “people need me”. Denial is such a powerful tool. Telling yourself it’s just a busy time of year is easier than addressing the problem. It feels safer to deny the reoccurring issues, keep status quo, and do nothing.

There is nothing wrong with serving others. In fact, it’s an honourable thing to do and we need more recognition of empathy in the world. However, if you serve at the expense of yourself, without filling your own cup simultaneously, it can be problematic in the long run because toxic stress builds. Sometimes prioritizing others over yourself can look like rescuing your clients instead of empowering them, fighting “the system”, and a whole lot of struggling.

I have a colleague who poured her heart and soul into her clients and the organization she worked for, for over a decade. She experienced a lot of “red flags”, decisions and policies that devalued the healthcare providers and limited their full potential. This dedicated and brave colleague advocated for more training, resources, and basic rights such as proper compensation; even preparing for and attending a stressful arbitration days before giving birth! Years went by without much change. There were a few glimmers of hope, but overall, she felt depleted. She started to believe that nothing she did mattered. Eventually, her body said enough. She lost sleep. She lost hope. She lost a bit of herself…temporarily.

Today, we celebrate this colleague for transforming out of burnout. The answer for her was to stop fighting and to resign from an organization unwilling to change course. Today, she is putting time and energy into self-care and more of what is true in her heart, which will undoubtably lead to the next opportunity.

Sometimes it takes a significant setback to realize you have choices. While every lesson has its due process, you don’t have to wait for a situation to get really bad before making a change. I know it’s hard to think about change when it feels like you’re drowning. But if you want a different result, change is necessary.

Knowing is not the same as doing

While knowing you matter is a very important first step, it is not the same as demonstrating it. Not only do we need to change the conversation (you do matter!!), it’s time to start acting like you do through committed actions.

Want to know more about what it means to make yourself matter as a healthcare professional? Register here for my 2021 Wellness Reset Webinar on January 12 from 12-1 pm.

This is your opportunity to:

• Reflect on how you’ve been coping with stress and burnout

• Learn what works to reverse the negative effects of stress

• Learn how to change your mindset so you can take better care of yourself

• Rediscover the value and meaning in your important work

• Create actionable steps towards living the life you want

Meet you there!