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24 October 2023 | Story Carmine Nieman | Photo SUPPLIED
Carmine Nieman
Carmine Nieman, Industrial Psychology Lecturer at the University of the Free State

Opinion article by Carmine Nieman, Industrial Psychology Lecturer at the University of the Free State.


Burnout – a widely recognised concept – has gained attention since its inception in the 1970s. Research has shown that burnout occurs when individuals exhaust their coping resources due to work and personal life demands, resulting in decreased job performance and extreme fatigue. Further review revealed that burnout often results from overworking and striving for perfection, particularly in high-pressure environments with challenging professional relationships. Though not officially recognised in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the literature defines burnout as a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishments due to chronic work-related stress. This condition is identifiable through symptoms such as profound fatigue, loss of motivation, cynicism towards one's work, and a sense of inadequacy. Recognising burnout as a contemporary societal challenge is vital; however, in many countries, the official statistics on this topic are not even available. 

According to the literature, there are two coping strategies: positive coping, involving problem-solving and constructive appraisal, and negative coping, which leans towards managing emotions and adopting less effective coping mechanisms. Research has identified a positive correlation between negative coping and burnout, contributing to the experience of burnout among staff members who are struggling to cope personally or professionally. Stress and anxiety have inevitably also been a challenge at the University of the Free State (UFS) for years. Recent research reveals a strong link between stress and burnout, with job burnout identified as a risk factor for anxiety and stress. Thus, addressing job burnout is essential to reduce anxiety and stress symptoms among staff at the UFS, especially as we commemorate World Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mitigating the risk of burnout

Implementing early detection methods is essential to alleviate the adverse effects of burnout. Research underscores the significance of well-being in the workplace, covering emotional, psychological, physical, and behavioural aspects, to effectively manage and prevent burnout. Additionally, burnout has repercussions on personal life, leading to family issues, work-life conflict, and a diminished quality of life, underlining the importance of social support. Preventing and managing burnout entails both individual and organisational strategies. While organisations bear some responsibility, it is unrealistic to expect employees to relinquish personal responsibilities entirely. 

There are numerous research outcomes based on individual strategies. Individual strategies encompass role and boundary management, cognitive restructuring, time management, lifestyle balance, coping strategies, work pattern adjustments, social resource utilisation, and overall well-being and self-assessment. Cognitive restructuring effectively prevents burnout by transforming negative and irrational thought patterns into positive and constructive ones. Time management and planning are core skills for managing a demanding job. Lifestyle management – the balance between work and non-work roles – is increasingly relevant. Moreover, effectively coping with stress by managing thoughts and controlling the interpretation of stressful experiences helps prevent and manage burnout symptoms. Furthermore, changing work patterns is recommended, such as taking regular breaks and avoiding excessive overtime. Leveraging social resources, including support from supervisors, colleagues, family, and friends, is also vital to prevent burnout.

The organisation’s social responsibility role

Research-based strategies on the organisational level are less than on the individual level but offer valuable advice and recommendations. Organisations can contribute to burnout prevention by implementing and developing policies and initiatives. Organisations should focus on transitioning individuals from burnout to engagement by fostering energy, resilience, involvement in work tasks, and job success. Regular well-being assessments also provide insights into individual and organisational well-being and coping. Supportive organisational strategies to prevent burnout entail role clarification, goal setting, nurturing supportive management relationships, eliminating unnecessary stressors, and offering flexible work schedules. Other organisational strategies include supportive practices, job design, coaching, and wellness programmes such as those offered by the Division of Organisational Development and Employee Well-being.

Based on the cumulative insights, an effective approach to addressing and preventing burnout on both individual and organisational levels involves enhancing personal and workplace coping skills. This can be achieved by replacing negative thought patterns with constructive patterns using rational emotive behaviour therapy techniques. Additionally, implementing constructive thinking techniques towards a model that focuses on various aspects of work life can assist in managing and preventing burnout. Furthermore, implementing early detection strategies is pivotal in identifying potential issues before they escalate.

Ultimately, a combined treatment plan involving collaboration between the organisation, industrial psychologists, and individuals is recommended. Such an approach ensures effective burnout management, focusing on well-being and minimising the impact of burnout.

In conclusion, burnout is a significant concern with implications for individuals and organisations. Effective interventions and treatment plans are pivotal for safeguarding well-being. Future research should continue to explore and develop treatment plans to enhance the success and well-being of individuals and organisations.

News Archive

Great turnout for Hannes Meyer Symposium in Cardiothoracic Surgery
2017-05-05

Description: Hannes Meyer Symposium  Tags: Hannes Meyer Symposium

Symposium attendees watch attentively as
Dr Johan Brink demonstrated a MAZE procedure
with a pig’s heart.
Photo: Supplied

The University of the Free State’s Faculty of Health Sciences hosted the annual Hannes Meyer Symposium in Cardiothoracic Surgery. The symposium was organised by Prof Francis Smit, head of the department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UFS, with the support from the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of South Africa and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS). Over the past 16 years this symposium has steadily been growing in stature and prestige leading to the resounding success that was this year’s event.

Medical advancements explored
The aim of the symposium is to provide an overview of the latest advances in Cardiothoracic Surgery and perfusion as well as providing hands-on training via simulation to trainees from South Africa and the rest of the African continent. Didactic lectures and papers by registrars were an integral component of the symposium. The South African community was represented by various heads of departments, trainees, senior specialists and perfusionists from all the training centres in the country. There were also delegates representing Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia.

Heart surgery off to new heights
Simulation in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Perfusion can be compared to airline pilots with high risk, with complex surgeries being first done in simulators before being attempted in the real world. The UFS is proud to have a state-of-the-art simulation facility, which was used to facilitate the programme.

The range of simulation was extensive and included simple procedural models to complex full theatre setups with Human Performance Models in perfusion that simulated crisis scenarios with the aid of computerised devices that react in real time to human intervention.

Industry support highly appreciated
This event was coordinated by Dr Jehron Pillay, senior registrar in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Marilee Janse van Vuuren, deputy-director clinical technology, in the department. This was the first time that such extensive simulation models were used in the programme and judging from the positive response received, it has certainly set the benchmark for all future events.

The event has received invaluable support over the years from EACTS that has selected Bloemfontein as the site of its African training programme as a result of the high level of training and education achieved here.

The academic discussions were chaired by Profs Marko Turina and Jose Pomar (past presidents of EACTS) and Pieter Kappetein (past secretary general of EACTS) who are extremely well known internationally for their contribution to advancing Cardiothoracic training and education.

Our guests from EACTS presented didactical lectures on research methodology, international randomised trials and discussed recent developments and controversies in cardiothoracic surgery.

Registrars from all South African units presented a thoracic and cardiac surgery paper from each unit highlighting specific disease conditions, moderated by heads of departments and the international panel.

An event of this magnitude requires significant financial support and the medical industry in South Africa stepped up to the plate in providing financial and logistical support in order to make it possible.

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