Understanding occupational burnout
Burnout is a state of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The WHO classifies it as an occupational phenomenon in ICD-11 — not a medical condition, but a significant driver of mental and physical health problems. It's characterised by 3 dimensions identified by Christina Maslach and Susan Jackson in their 1981 Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).
The three dimensions
Emotional exhaustion is the core of burnout. Feeling depleted, emotionally overextended, and drained by work. The tank is empty. High EE scores (≥27) indicate significant burnout in this dimension.
Depersonalisation is the psychological distance people create between themselves and their work or the people they serve. It shows up as cynicism, detachment, and callousness. High DP scores (≥10) indicate high burnout.
Personal accomplishment is the sense of competence and achievement in your work. Low PA is associated with burnout — feeling ineffective, like your work doesn't matter. Low PA scores (≤33) indicate high burnout in this dimension.
Scoring interpretation
| Dimension | Low Burnout | Moderate | High Burnout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional Exhaustion (0-54) | ≤16 | 17-26 | ≥27 |
| Depersonalisation (0-30) | ≤6 | 7-12 | ≥13 |
| Personal Accomplishment (0-48) | ≥39 (good) | 32-38 | ≤31 (poor) |
Burnout in healthcare
Healthcare professionals have among the highest burnout rates of any profession. Physician burnout rates exceed 50% in many specialties; nursing burnout was accelerated significantly by the pandemic. Burnout predicts medical errors, reduced patient safety, poor patient satisfaction, and staff attrition. It's a systems problem, not an individual failing.
Related tools
For depression that may co-occur with burnout, see PHQ-9 Depression Scale. For anxiety, see GAD-7 Anxiety Scale. For sleep quality, which is often severely affected by burnout, see Sleep Quality Score. For overall perceived stress, see Perceived Stress Scale.
References
- Maslach C, Jackson SE. "The measurement of experienced burnout." J Occup Behav. 1981;2(2):99-113.
- World Health Organization. ICD-11: Burn-out (QD85). WHO, 2019.
- Shanafelt TD, Noseworthy JH. "Executive leadership and physician well-being." Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(1):129-146.