Abstract
As the days become shorter, the temperature drops and the rain alters its angle of attack from vertical to horizontal, many of us begin to feel the strain of the temperate island environment of the United Kingdom. The promise of another ‘Arctic’ winter fails to bring festive cheer, and to some it represents a real threat to their health and well-being. The return of gloomy weather and restricted access to sunlight is associated with seasonal affective disorder, known to cause significant psychological and physiological symptoms. The winter edition of this journal includes two articles about ‘burnout’, and led me to consider the contrast between these two syndromes. Whilst one is a seasonal condition, with widespread recognition in more extreme latitudes, the latter remains a taboo word amongst healthcare professionals. The enthusiasm for staving off seasonal affective disorder with powerful lightbulbs represents a stark contrast to the response to burnout, for which associated stigma and lack of understanding leaves many struggling on, alone, and in the dark.
In this edition of the journal, an article by Vincent et al. presents the results of an extensive survey related to burnout and explores the risk of burnout in respondents from intensive care units in the UK. It highlights just how many of us could potentially be affected by this disturbing condition. The survey is accompanied by a broader discussion of burnout by Brindley et al., which provides a superb overview of a topic relevant to everyone reading this journal. To overcome this potential epidemic amongst intensive care staff, it is imperative we understand what is happening in our own place of work and how to prevent our staff from becoming victims of their high-pressure environment. Further information about burnout in intensive care is also available in the Wellbeing section of the Intensive Care Society website.
Please wrap up warm this winter and look out for those people around you who may not be well suited for the Artic conditions predicted to besiege the United Kingdom. If the weather is getting you down, don’t let it beat you, get out there and embrace it if you can, with your eyes wide open to soak up what daylight there is. But if you feel you may be affected by something more than just the short days, seek help. And look out for the symptoms of burnout in your colleagues. You are the most likely person to spot them and offer the best chance of an early effective intervention.