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There are a few measures that can be taken to prevent burnout. One is to provide assistants for physicians who can complete regulatory-related work and other routine tasks. Another is to provide ergonomic improvements. If the pathologist’s microscope, chair, desk, and computer are ergonomically optimized,⁴ the pathologist will feel less strain. A nationwide online questionnaire in Switzerland4 surveyed pathologists on the effects of ergonomically optimized equipment; it found that the optimized microscope and chair alleviated their musculoskeletal problems. This can lead to a decrease in burnout symptoms. Other solutions would be to provide wellness clinics, self-improvement courses, and peer-support programs.

The burnout epidemic in medicine seems to be gaining attention but has been largely neglected, and many physicians deny or are unaware of the symptoms even when support and assistance are offered. To prevent burnout from progressing, symptoms should be brought to physicians’ attention and physicians should be allowed to speak openly about the experiences they have had. That the CAP is addressing this issue is encouraging and one more reason I want to become a pathologist.

1. Kahill S. Symptoms of professional burnout: a review of the empirical evidence. Canadian Psychology. 1988;29[3]:284–297.
2. West CP, Dyrbye LN, Shanafelt TD. Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions. J Intern Med. 2018;283[6]:516–529.
3. Tawfik DS, Profit J, Morgenthaler TI, et al. Physician burnout, well-being, and work unit safety grades in relationship to reported medical errors. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2018. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.05.014.
4. Fritzsche FR, Ramach C, Soldini D, et al. Occupational health risks of pathologists—results from a nationwide online questionnaire in Switzerland. BMC Public Health. 2012;12[1]:1054–1066.

Lexia Quinlisk
University of South Florida
Tampa