When the Diagnosis Is Not Burnout: Key Diagnostics & Treatment Imperatives-View Presentation Slides

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This presentation by Michael Myers, MD, addresses the critical need to differentiate burnout from other psychiatric diagnoses in physicians, emphasizing comprehensive, empathetic assessment and treatment. Physicians often present with complex mental health issues that may be misattributed solely to burnout, underscoring the importance of a thorough differential diagnosis that includes conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use disorders, adjustment disorders, and more, as listed in DSM-5-TR.<br /><br />Drawing from 35 years of experience and extensive scholarly research, Dr. Myers shares illustrative case studies, highlighting common diagnostic challenges like underrecognized PTSD—particularly prevalent among emergency physicians, those in underserved areas, residents, malpractice-impacted physicians, and "second victims" exposed to trauma. He also discusses the frequent co-occurrence of substance use disorders, especially alcohol, and difficulties in recognizing impairment due to denial and peer normalization.<br /><br />The presentation underscores the significance of posttraumatic growth following traumatic experiences, illustrating how some physicians develop deeper relationships, personal strength, and appreciation for life. Personal narratives, including survivors of suicide attempts and loss, emphasize the need for compassion, standard psychiatric care without bias, and integrating family collateral information when appropriate.<br /><br />Special attention is given to managing suicidal physicians respectfully and effectively, recognizing the importance of timely responses, professional but empathetic communication, psychoeducation, and collaborative care involving family and prior treatment data. Dr. Myers encourages clinicians to listen deeply, fight stigma, and embrace continuous learning to improve outcomes for physician-patients.<br /><br />Key references provide a foundation for understanding physician mental health challenges and effective approaches. The talk concludes with practical tips for consultation-liaison psychiatrists and an invitation to further sessions on individual-level burnout interventions.<br /><br />Overall, the material advocates for nuanced, respectful psychiatric care to address the complex mental health needs of physicians beyond the oversimplified diagnosis of burnout.

Keywords

physician burnout

psychiatric differential diagnosis

physician mental health

PTSD in physicians

substance use disorders

posttraumatic growth

suicide prevention

empathetic psychiatric care

consultation-liaison psychiatry

physician impairment