Health and Well-Being of Intensive Care Unit Physicians: How to Ensure the Longevity of a Critical Specialty

John C Klick; Madiha Syed; Ron Leong; Haley Miranda; Elizabeth K Cotter

doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2022.10.009

Health and Well-Being of Intensive Care Unit Physicians: How to Ensure the Longevity of a Critical Specialty

Anesthesiol Clin. 2023 Mar;41(1):303-316. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2022.10.009.

Authors

John C Klick¹, Madiha Syed², Ron Leong³, Haley Miranda⁴, Elizabeth K Cotter⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Vermont Medical Center, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, 111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, USA.
² Department of Intensive Care & Resuscitation, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Mail Code G58, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
³ Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medial College, 111 South 11th Street, Gibbon Building, Suite 8130, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 1034, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
⁵ Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, MS 1034, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: Ecotter2@kumc.edu.

Abstract

A second epidemic of burnout, fatigue, anxiety, and moral distress has emerged concurrently with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and critical care physicians are especially affected. This article reviews the history of burnout in health care workers, presents the signs and symptoms, discusses the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intensive care unit caregivers, and attempts to identify potential strategies to combat the Great Resignation disproportionately affecting health care workers. The article also focuses on how the specialty can amplify the voices and highlight the leadership potential of underrepresented minorities, physicians with disabilities, and the aging physician population.

Keywords: Burnout; COVID-19; Diversity; ICU staffing; Inclusion; Moral distress; Wellness.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Health Personnel
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Pandemics
Physicians*