Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
As doctors who have weathered the storms of the last few years, we feel that “burnout” is an unfortunate term. Burnout conjures images of destruction beyond repair and extinction beyond hope. Something broken, fit only to be discarded and replaced - like a blown fuse. Unfortunate as a label and unfortunate as a message.
For many perhaps the term “washed out” might be more appropriate. Already wet from years of uncertainty and moral injury, unexpectedly and unprepared we were suddenly engulfed by a flood unlike any in living memory; our defences were completely overwhelmed. We pulled people from the water, often with our bare hands. Sometimes the raging torrent took them, and sometimes took us too. The waters are now receding, but we are changed people in a changed landscape. Our confidence in the command structure has been shaken, infrastructure has been damaged, and our reserves are low.
However rather than being beyond repair, there is life and fight left. Despite the deluge all hope is not lost. The spark is not extinguished. We still have passion, still have focus, and still care. We need help; help to recover, help to rebuild and help to implement systematic change.
Re: One in four trainee doctors report discriminatory behaviours from colleagues, GMC finds
Dear Editor
As doctors who have weathered the storms of the last few years, we feel that “burnout” is an unfortunate term. Burnout conjures images of destruction beyond repair and extinction beyond hope. Something broken, fit only to be discarded and replaced - like a blown fuse. Unfortunate as a label and unfortunate as a message.
For many perhaps the term “washed out” might be more appropriate. Already wet from years of uncertainty and moral injury, unexpectedly and unprepared we were suddenly engulfed by a flood unlike any in living memory; our defences were completely overwhelmed. We pulled people from the water, often with our bare hands. Sometimes the raging torrent took them, and sometimes took us too. The waters are now receding, but we are changed people in a changed landscape. Our confidence in the command structure has been shaken, infrastructure has been damaged, and our reserves are low.
However rather than being beyond repair, there is life and fight left. Despite the deluge all hope is not lost. The spark is not extinguished. We still have passion, still have focus, and still care. We need help; help to recover, help to rebuild and help to implement systematic change.
Competing interests: No competing interests