Dietetics:Internship/Beating Burnout 2023

Relevance of topic to dietetics student learning

• Dietetic students have many stressors, including academic, professional, social, etc.
• Resources around burnout for students and healthcare professionals are not talked about enough
• It is important to be familiar with burnout before it happens so we can help ourselves in order to help others.

General Burnout

• Burnout results from chronic stress that has not been successfully managed.
• There are three dimensions:
  • Energy depletion or exhaustion
  • Negativism or cynicism related to one's job/responsibilities
  • Reduced professional efficacy
• Possible signs include:
  • Lack of motivation
  • Irritability
  • Reduced empathy
  • Decreased satisfaction
  • Lack of sleep and other health behaviours

Related Experiences

Compassion Fatigue

• Stress from witnessing, or frequent exposure to other people's stress or trauma
• Composed of two components:
  • Secondary trauma
  • General Burnout

Grief

• Is a natural emotional and life adjustment process after loss
• May be expressed physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually
• There is no "normal and expected" period of time for grieving

Educational Tools

Printable Poster

Printable poster resource on beating burnout in dietetics

FNH 480 Presentation

Beating Burnout Presentation

Online resources for further learning

Additional burnout resources

Student authors

Abeera Irfan, Amber Brideau, Megan Lochhead, Merrie Martin, Olivia Loehr, Sara Chan (April 2023)