CDC releases burnout guide for healthcare industry

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – When you think of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you might think of its COVID-19 guidelines. The national public health agency just released a new set of guidelines to prevent burnout among healthcare workers.

“The CDC is starting to take notice, in that we need guidance for not only our bodies but our minds as well,” said Kathy Marble, the Chief Nursing Officer at Sparrow Hospital.

Marble said they have already taken several steps to improve employee mental health. They offer support teams in crises, debriefing sessions, and private rooms for staff to decompress throughout the day.

“It is rampant across the nursing profession right now. Some of the burnout that we’re seeing is from the behavioral aspect of some of our patients. We’re seeing more violence at the bedside, from patients and family.” said Marble.

The guide includes six action steps. It starts with an initial review, includes creating a professional well-being team, and ends with developing a long-term plan.

“I think that this is amazing,” said Dr. Beena Nagappala, the President of the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, “We’ve seen many physicians leave their practices because of burnout, complain about being burnout, taking time off for their mental well-being.”

Healthcare workers have to disclose their mental health history to be credentialed. Now, the CDC recommends removing those stigmatizing questions.

Dr. Nagappala represents thousands of Michigan physicians. She said she’s happy to see them removed, as they prevented healthcare professionals from getting help.

“In fact, the CDC published a vital signs report in October that shows that healthcare workers experience a greater mental health burden than any other worker type,” said Stefanie Simmons, the Chief Medical Officer at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.

The CDC created the guide in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation. Dr. Breen died by suicide, and the foundation works to address healthcare burnout in her honor.

They said about 400 physicians die by suicide each year in the U.S.

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