Addressing Burnout and Supporting Mental Health in Laboratory Medicine

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon that has been shown to affect the mental health of laboratory staff. This has major impacts on the daily functions of the laboratory which in turn affects the functions of the health care system at large. Interventions to mitigate the effects of burnout should prioritize systemic changes. Individual interventions although helpful, generally do not address the root causes of burnout. From an organizational standpoint, addressing burnout is crucial, as burnout is associated with increased costs, decreased employee engagement, and decreased patient satisfaction.