Resident Physician Stress and Burnout

Resident Physician Stress and Burnout Resident physicians are in the most stressful stage of their medical career. Normal stress may increase to the point where it becomes abnormal stress, which is thought to achieve a critical level at some point. This abnormal stress level can then lead to burnout; burnout can lead to impairment. Both professional and personal stresses make huge demands on the resident's time. Unfortunately, there are only 24 hours in a day, and …

…special final month called Capstone. Capstone month brings the senior class back together for a series of lectures on some nontraditional topics: physician burnout, the medical marriage, how to deal with the media, dressing for success and setting priorities in life. This program implemented by USC should set an excellent example for other medical schools to follow. It is clear that something needs to be done to help physicians, and this is a great start!