Professional caregivers of every ilk are at risk of burnout. While burnout tends to show up as a lethargic, low-energy physical malaise, it's actually an emotional issue. It's a sign your emotional "checking account" is overdrawn.
This overdraft is often the result of investing yourself in situations in which you have little or no control. Such as, whether your intervention produces results quick enough to please patients. Or, whether patients will follow your recommendations. The lack of control, unrewarded effort and patients who want you to do all the work, create a dangerous, "if-they-don't-care-why-should-I" attitude.
Patients aren't the problem. The real culprit is failing to establish clear boundaries.
At your report, clarify where your responsibility ends and the patient's begins. Make sure they know that in many ways they control the outcome of their care more than you do. Even better, avoid the temptation of showing up as the heroic rescuer.
