Self-Care for Telehealth Providers: Avoiding Burnout in the Digital Age

David Larsen
Jul 19, 2024
6 min read

Vol. 1, No. 19 | July 19, 2024 | By Dave Larsen, Väsentlig Consulting LLC

As a home-based solo mental health practitioner using telehealth as your primary method of interacting with clients, self-care is essential for maintaining your well-being and avoiding burnout (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).

Burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, is a significant concern for mental health professionals, particularly those working in high-demand, high-stress environments such as telehealth (Morse et al., 2021).

In this post, we'll explore the unique challenges of self-care in a digital context and provide research-backed strategies for avoiding burnout as a telehealth provider.

The Challenges of Self-Care in Telehealth

While telehealth offers numerous benefits for mental health providers, such as increased flexibility and the ability to reach underserved populations, it also presents unique challenges for self-care and burnout prevention (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). Some of these challenges include:

Blurred Boundaries: Telehealth can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, making it difficult to disconnect and recharge (Morse et al., 2021). When working from home, providers may find themselves working longer hours, checking emails or messages outside of work hours, or feeling pressure to be constantly available to clients (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).
Screen Fatigue: Spending long hours in front of a screen can lead to physical and mental fatigue, eye strain, headaches, and other symptoms of "screen fatigue" or "Zoom fatigue" (Shklarski et al., 2021). This can be particularly challenging for telehealth providers who may conduct multiple video sessions in a day (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).
Isolation and Disconnection: Telehealth can be isolating, as providers may have fewer opportunities for in-person interaction with colleagues, supervisors, or support staff (Morse et al., 2021). This sense of disconnection can contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or burnout (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).
Technical Challenges: Dealing with technical issues, such as poor internet connectivity, software glitches, or equipment malfunctions, can be stressful and time-consuming for telehealth providers (Shklarski et al., 2021). These challenges can disrupt sessions, create additional workload, and contribute to feelings of frustration or overwhelm (Morse et al., 2021).
Vicarious Trauma: Telehealth providers may be exposed to traumatic or distressing content shared by clients, which can lead to vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress (STS) (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). STS can manifest as symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness (Morse et al., 2021).

Given these challenges, it is essential that telehealth providers prioritize self-care and develop strategies for avoiding burnout in the digital age (Shklarski et al., 2021).

Strategies for Self-Care and Burnout Prevention in Telehealth

To maintain their well-being and avoid burnout, telehealth providers can employ several research-backed strategies for self-care, including:

Set Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for telehealth providers (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). This may involve setting specific work hours, creating a dedicated workspace, turning off notifications outside of work hours, and communicating boundaries to clients and colleagues (Morse et al., 2021).
Practice Digital Hygiene: Digital hygiene refers to the practices and habits that promote healthy and responsible use of digital technologies (Shklarski et al., 2021). For telehealth providers, this may include taking regular breaks from screens, using blue light filters or glasses, adjusting screen brightness and contrast, and practicing good posture and ergonomics (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).
Prioritize Physical Self-Care: Engaging in regular physical self-care activities, such as exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep, can help telehealth providers manage stress and prevent burnout (Morse et al., 2021). Providers may also benefit from incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, into their daily routine (Shklarski et al., 2021).
Connect with Colleagues and Support Systems: Maintaining social connections and support systems is essential for telehealth providers (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). This may involve participating in peer consultation groups, attending virtual conferences or workshops, or reaching out to colleagues or mentors for support and guidance (Morse et al., 2021).
Engage in Professional Development: Continuing education and professional development activities can help telehealth providers stay engaged, motivated, and up-to-date with best practices in the field (Shklarski et al., 2021). Providers may benefit from attending webinars, reading professional journals, or pursuing additional training or certification in telehealth (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021).
Seek Supervision and Consultation: Regular supervision and consultation can provide telehealth providers with emotional support, guidance, and opportunities for processing difficult cases or experiences (Morse et al., 2021). Providers may benefit from individual or group supervision, peer consultation, or consultation with specialists in areas such as trauma or cultural competence (Shklarski et al., 2021).
Develop a Self-Care Plan: Creating a personalized self-care plan can help telehealth providers prioritize their well-being and prevent burnout (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). A self-care plan may include specific goals, activities, and strategies for physical, emotional, and professional self-care, as well as a plan for monitoring and adjusting the plan as needed (Morse et al., 2021).

By implementing these strategies, telehealth providers can proactively manage the unique challenges of digital mental health work and maintain their well-being over the long term (Shklarski et al., 2021).

Recognizing and Addressing Signs of Burnout

Despite their best efforts at self-care, telehealth providers may still experience signs of burnout, particularly during times of high stress or demand (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021). It is important for providers to recognize these signs and take steps to address them before they lead to more serious consequences, such as impaired clinical judgment, decreased job satisfaction, or even leaving the profession (Morse et al., 2021).

Some common signs of burnout among mental health professionals include (Shklarski et al., 2021):

Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained, depleted, or emotionally numb
Depersonalization: Feeling detached or cynical towards clients or the work
Reduced personal accomplishment: Feeling ineffective or questioning one's competence
Physical symptoms: Experiencing fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances
Cognitive symptoms: Having difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering details
Behavioral changes: Withdrawing from social interactions, neglecting self-care, or using unhealthy coping mechanisms

If telehealth providers recognize these signs in themselves, it is important to take action to address them, such as (Aboujaoude & Gega, 2021):

Reaching out for support: Talking to a trusted colleague, supervisor, or mental health professional
Taking time off: Taking a break or vacation to rest and recharge
Adjusting workload: Reducing or redistributing caseload, delegating tasks, or setting limits
Seeking professional help: Consulting with a therapist or counselor who specializes in treating mental health professionals

By recognizing and addressing signs of burnout early, telehealth providers can prevent more serious consequences and maintain their ability to provide high-quality care to their clients (Morse et al., 2021).

Conclusion

Self-care is a critical component of providing effective and sustainable telehealth services. By understanding the unique challenges of digital mental health work, such as blurred boundaries, screen fatigue, isolation, technical challenges, and vicarious trauma, telehealth providers can develop proactive strategies for maintaining their well-being and avoiding burnout.

These strategies, such as setting boundaries, practicing digital hygiene, prioritizing physical self-care, connecting with colleagues and support systems, engaging in professional development, seeking supervision and consultation, and developing a personalized self-care plan, can help telehealth providers manage the demands of their work and maintain their ability to provide high-quality care to their clients.

However, self-care is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and adjustment. By recognizing and addressing signs of burnout early, telehealth providers can prevent more serious consequences and ensure that they are able to continue serving their clients and communities in the digital age.

Ultimately, prioritizing self-care is not only essential for the well-being of individual providers but also for the sustainability and effectiveness of the telehealth field as a whole. By modeling good self-care practices and supporting each other in this work, telehealth providers can create a culture of resilience, compassion, and excellence in digital mental health care.

References

Aboujaoude, E., & Gega, L. (2021). From digital mental health interventions to digital "addiction": Where the two fields converge. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.585977

Morse, G., Salyers, M. P., Rollins, A. L., Monroe-DeVita, M., & Pfahler, C. (2021). Burnout in mental health services: A review of the problem and its remediation. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39(5), 341-352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0352-1

Shklarski, L., Abrams, A., & Bakst, E. (2021). Navigating changes in the physical and psychological spaces of psychotherapists during Covid-19: When home becomes the office. Practice Innovations, 6(1), 55-66. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000138