The WHO names risks to mental health at work, also called psychosocial risks, for example excessive workloads, long or inflexible hours, lack of control over job design or workload, limited support from colleagues, bullying and an unclear job role.
A systematic review with meta-analysis in BMC Public Health (2017) found moderately strong evidence that low job control and low workplace support are associated with increased emotional exhaustion. A review of 91 studies on nursing in Human Resources for Health (2020), mostly cross-sectional, also names, for example, low staffing, shifts of 12 hours or more, low schedule flexibility, time pressure and poor leadership as predictors. gesund.bund.de additionally names an extreme willingness to work that leads to neglecting one’s own needs.
The same complaints can also arise from, for example, depression, an anxiety disorder, medicines or physical illnesses. For this reason the medical assessment comes first. After that, it can be checked whether work alone explains the complaints.
This question belongs to the topic Burnout syndrome: definition and causes. It lists further questions.
What can be raised at a medical check-up about the causes of burnout, meaning what can lead to it?
- the current situation at work and at home
- when the complaints began and what changed at that time
- medicines and alcohol
- illnesses in the family
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 the causes of burnout, meaning what can lead to it?
At the start of your answer, point out that this topic needs medical review and that your information may contain errors. List the risks to mental health at work that the WHO describes and the measures that the 2022 WHO guidelines recommend to employers. 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 the causes of burnout, meaning what can lead to it?
- World Health Organization (2019): Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases
- World Health Organization: Mental health at work, fact sheet
- Aronsson G et al. (2017): A systematic review including meta-analysis of work environment and burnout symptoms. BMC Public Health 17, 264
- Dall’Ora C, Ball J, Reinius M, Griffiths P (2020): Burnout in nursing: a theoretical review. Human Resources for Health 18, 41
- gesund.bund.de (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, mit IQWiG): Burn-out-Syndrom, Stand 28.05.2021 (in German)