Preventing burnout in peritoneal dialysis patients

Burnout is a syndrome in which emotional depletion and detachment occur in response to prolonged stress. This pattern has been described in many high-intensity occupations, and the individuals at highest risk of developing burnout appear to be those in intense caregiving roles. Despite the wealth of information from examinations of burnout, there is a dearth of research on burnout in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Little is known regarding the prevalence, treatment, or prevention of burnout in PD patients or their care-givers despite the fact that burnout is a phenomenon that has been anecdotally observed in the PD population for years. Burnout is a potentially significant contributor to technique failure and therefore to patient mortality. Health care providers caring for PD patients should identify the individuals most prone to burnout and assist them to develop coping techniques that enhance their quality of life and prolong their time on PD. This review seeks to apply research on burnout in other fields to the PD population and to aid providers in both preventing and coping with burnout.