2. Module Outline
Prevention and Management of Burn – Out.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
1. Explain the term “burn -out ”.
2. Identify common causes of burn –out.
3. Give the signs and symptoms of burn –out.
4. Give ways of reducing burn-out.
3. Objectives:
By the end of the session, you should be able to:
Explain stress and describe the signs and symptoms of
stress.
Explain coping and name different coping mechanisms.
Demonstrate an understanding of resilience and what
makes a child resilient.
Discuss ways of building resilience in children
including their attitude and approach and child
participation.
4. What is Burn-out?
These are experiences of extreme tiredness,
depression, frustration, stress and poor
appetite as a result od constant interaction
with people in need
Burnouts are mainly common in the caring
professions.
A person with burnout experiences symptoms
of stress physically, mentally and emotionally.
5. Factors that contribute to burn -out? (They are divided
into personal and organizational/environmental
factors.)
Case overload.
Unmet needs of the clients/children/OVC.
Lack of training and orientation.
Lack of social interaction.
Imbalance in time.
Financial hardships.
Stigma.
Lack of recognition.
Lack of space and privacy.
6. Common signs and symptoms of burn-out.
Being tired all the time,
Easily falling sick,
Frequent accidents,
Impatience,
Easily annoyed,
Forgetfulness,
Anger,
Affected psychologically,
7. Common signs and symptoms of burn-out cont….
Unable to experience enjoyment,
Poor work performance,
Withdrawal or few social contacts(isolation),
Few activities outside of your role as caregiver,
Preoccupied with caring work unconcerned
about yourself- personal outlook,
Not caring for you own feelings
8. Note:
Noting the signs and feelings of tiredness and
frustration is the first step in both preventing
and dealing with burn-out!
The caregiver needs to care for themselves
first. If they don’t they will be of no use to the
others in their care.
The best way to reduce burn -out is to prevent
it from occurring.
9. Some ways to prevent or reduce the risk of burn-out.
Do exercises , rest, eat a well-balanced diet
Take time out for yourself, do something fun,
Know your limits,
Listen carefully to others,
Talk about your thoughts, fears, concerns and feeling to
someone,
Take time to enjoy simple things for example watching
children,
Have time with your own family, relatives and people
who love you more.
10. Ways to prevent or reduce the risk of burn-out cont..
Join a support group, start one and have time to share
your experiences,
Stop thinking that you can solve everybody’s problems,
Get time to be in touch with your spiritual side of life,
Stop worrying about things that you cannot change,
Be around people who support you,
Remember – you are also a human being
Most important - take time off from caring work (Take
leave).
11. Ice breaker –Phones and lies
In a bus going from Jinja to Kampala ,the phone of the girl next
to me rings, she picks it & says "Honey, I'm on my way to Masaka
and have reached in mpingi for the burial, I'll call you when I get
there".
Another phone rings, and the guy behind us says "Sweetheart
I'm on my way to MUK and have reached Wandegeya for the
Masters Degree Form, please send me Credit for the trip"
Then another passenger’s phone rings, and she says "Daddy, I'm
in Kanjansi on my way to Entebbe for the interview, I'll call you
later"
This MUSOGA man sitting @ the back gets so provoked and he
shouts
"Driver stop! where exactly is this bus going?
