What are signs of burnout in healthcare professionals?

• A. Increased productivity and satisfaction.
• B. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment, cynicism, and decreased job performance.
• C. Improvement in patient outcomes despite stress.
• D. Increased resilience and empathy.

Answer: (B)

Burnout results from ongoing workplace stress and shows up most clearly as three intertwined experiences: emotional exhaustion (feeling drained and overwhelmed), depersonalization or cynicism toward patients and work, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment (feeling ineffective or client outcomes aren’t improving). These elements often come together with a drop in overall job performance and engagement, so you might notice care that feels distant or less effective.

That’s why this set of signs fits burnout best: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced personal accomplishment, cynicism, and decreased job performance. Other options describe outcomes of being engaged or doing well under stress, or protective traits like resilience and empathy, which aren’t signs of burnout.