Causes of Stress and Burnout in Physicians Caring for the Chronically and Terminally Ill

SUMMARYStress in physicians who care for the chronically and terminally ill may be manifest in the areas of personal psychological difficulties including depression, drug abuse, suicide, post-traumatic stress, disorder, and interpersonal stress including difficulties with family and marital relationships. Physicians may find themselves receiving decreasing satisfaction from their work with patients and colleagues. Physicians are encouraged to step back from this treadmill and analyze these aspects of their lives and to explore new ways of reflecting and prioritizing so that the practice of medicine does not run their lives. A broader, richer life view including prioritizing personal psychological health, open sharing in interpersonal relations, give and take in work relations, and interactions with patients that are not just based on fighting illness is discussed. Hospice provides a unique model that reinforces this broader view of medical practice.