A systematic review and meta-analysis in The Lancet (2016) on physicians found that both individual-focused and structural or organisational strategies can result in clinically meaningful reductions in burnout. Overall burnout fell from 54 % to 44 %. A meta-analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine (2017), also on physicians, found small benefits that were larger for organisation-directed interventions.
The WHO recommends organizational interventions on working conditions, manager training and individual interventions, for example psychosocial interventions and opportunities for leisure-based physical activity. A systematic review in the Journal of Occupational Health (2017) found evidence that physical activity can reduce exhaustion, with the caveat that high-quality studies are scarce.
For tiredness without an underlying illness, the German fatigue guideline names, for example, balanced nutrition, stress reduction, an exercise programme and, where appropriate, psychotherapy. Activating measures are contraindicated, meaning they should not be used, if ME/CFS is suspected. In 2012, the DGPPN stated that for burnout without an accompanying illness there were no therapies proven effective by the rules of evidence-based medicine.
This question belongs to the topic Family, prevention and coaching. It lists further questions.
What can be raised at a medical check-up about help with burnout, meaning the next steps?
- which measures fit the cause found
- whether exercise is advisable
- whether psychotherapy makes sense
Exhaustion can have many causes, including illnesses that need treatment. For this reason a medical assessment comes before coaching, usually starting at the GP practice.
When can exhaustion become an emergency? · Why see a doctor before coaching for burnout?
Which prompt can be given to an AI assistant about help with burnout, meaning the next steps?
At the start of your answer, point out that this topic needs medical review and that your information may contain errors. Summarise what meta-analyses in The Lancet (2016) and JAMA Internal Medicine (2017) found on measures against burnout in physicians, and what the WHO recommends. Give the source for every piece of information and mark what is uncertain. Do not make a diagnosis and do not recommend any treatment. Separately, tell me which questions I should ask at the doctor’s practice.
With some services, the prompt needs to be pasted after signing in. The AI services belong to third parties. Depending on the service and the extent of use, signing in and costs may apply. AI answers can contain errors.
Which sources support the answer on help with burnout, meaning the next steps?
- World Health Organization: Mental health at work, fact sheet
- West CP, Dyrbye LN, Erwin PJ, Shanafelt TD (2016): Interventions to prevent and reduce physician burnout: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet 388, 2272–2281
- Panagioti M et al. (2017): Controlled interventions to reduce burnout in physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine 177(2), 195–205
- Naczenski LM et al. (2017): Systematic review of the association between physical activity and burnout. Journal of Occupational Health 59(6), 477–494
- AMBOSS: Müdigkeit, Praxisguide Allgemeinmedizin nach der DEGAM-Leitlinie „Müdigkeit“ (aktualisiert 19.10.2026) (in German)
- Deutsches Ärzteblatt (2012): DGPPN-Positionspapier zum Thema Burnout (in German)