Emotional exhaustion and stress in doctors are linked

Emotional exhaustion and stress have been found to be directly associated in the results of a longitudinal study of UK doctors published last week (Lancet 2002;359:2089-90).

The study was designed to assess the causal relation between stress and burnout in doctors, based on the recognition that these linked problems are common in healthcare professionals.

One of the research team, Professor Chris McManus, professor of psychology and medical education, University College London, explained: “Despite being common in health workers—15-20% of UK doctors show significant stress—the development and causal relations of burnout and stress are …