[White plans, psychological challenges for healthcare workers]

One aspect of white plans which is completely forgotten is their psychological impact on healthcare workers. Yet beyond the essential organisational aspect to be taken into account, the human dimension is equally important.

[Difficulties and stress of the anaesthetist-intensive care doctor]

Anaesthetist-intensive care doctors are trained and experienced in stress management. However, they experience, in their complex professional practice, productivity constraints which undermine their own values and their everyday practice. This is a feeling shared with other health professionals. Awareness of the issue must enable these doctors to regain the composure needed for practising their profession.

[Symptoms and characteristics of burnout]

For several years, the use of the term 'burnout' has been applied to clinical situations inappropriately and often excessively. The complexity of the approach to work related stress could explain this. It is important to understand the clinical bases which constitute this occupational exhaustion syndrome.

[Moral harassment in the workplace and work related stress]

Work related stress may be caused by moral harassment or not. The law gives a precise definition of harassment, which constitutes a civil and criminal offence. This situation requires proof to be gathered and those responsible to be identified. In all cases, employees can protect themselves from harassment and seek help.

[Clinical approach to stress in occupational psychopathology]

In the workplace, everyone is aware of the constraints of an organisation, but often, work related stress is refuted. However, the employer must take the necessary measures to ensure its employees' safety. Occupational psychopathology consultations constitute a resource for supporting people with stress and carrying out preventive actions.

[Work related stress in caregivers]

Health professionals have to endure the full force of the fast paced and sometimes paradoxical transformations of care facilities. Economic reasoning, standardisation and industrial management now govern the work of caregivers. They are sources of stress and destabilisation whereas caring is first and foremost an act of humanity.

[Burnout: priorities of effective treatment]

Nowadays, burnout, i.e. professional exhaustion due to chronic stress, can be treated effectively and without sequelae. However, certain key points must be observed in the management of burnout: medical support other than treatment for depression, active involvement in the treatment process during sick leave, personal reassessment and return to work at the right time, with appropriate preparation.

[Understanding the complex, multifaceted and multifactorial psychosocial risks]

Fatigue, anxiety, harassment, burnout, stress, etc., the psychosocial risk category brings together multidimensional (physiological, psychological, social...) heterogeneous and complex problems and pathological entities. These aspects are also associated with significant ideological and socio-economic issues (employer liability, cost to the community ...). Thus, how can we make sense of this increase in complaints? Is work harder now than it used to be?

[A consultation on the topic of "anxiety in the workplace" as a basis for prevention]

On the initiative of health insurance companies, a group of occupational health professionals has been formed in the Rhône-Alpes region. This has resulted in the creation of a facility dedicated to the management and prevention of anxiety in the workplace. Run by a multidisciplinary team, the facility welcomes professionals who are dealing with toxic situations in the workplace. The goal is to help sufferers make the link between their health and their professional experience. Illustration of a constructive and original commitment.

[When burnout sweeps into CMPs]

There have been significant changes in recent years in what psychiatrists are expected to accomplish in CMP [centre médicopsychologique (medical-psychological centre)] consultations. Back in the 1980s, most of the patients seen were psychotic. Then, all of a sudden, psychiatrists began to see a whole new category of cases at CMPs: patients who were exhausted and no longer able to do their jobs properly. This included a wave of civil servants affected by restructuring, followed by private sector employees. These days, most of those who consult for burnout are health workers.

[Caring for those who care for us]

The AAPML is a French association offering support for health professionals and private practice doctors suffering from stress via a helpline. It provides information and training for health professionals and takes into account their engagement in the workplace.

[A listening support group for nursing staff]

The feedback from a consultant nurse in a listening support group for health professionals shows that, for hospital nursing staff, the phenomenon of suffering in the workplace is a reality. In addition to providing help to professionals who request it, the missions of such a group are to promote discussion around psycho-social risks in the framework of a policy of compassionate care for staff.

[The difficulties of staff retention in neonatal intensive care units]

Neonatal intensive care units attract nurses due to the technical and highly specific nature of the work. However, there is a high turnover in these departments. Work-related distress and the lack of team cohesion are the two main causes of this problem. Support from the health care manager is essential in this context.

[The suffering of professionals working at home with families with multiple problems]

The management of families with multiple problems often adversely affects the many people involved in their case. This suffering at work affects particularly professionals carrying out home visits. Acknowledging this suffering, enabling these professionals to express and give meaning to their feelings is essential in order to enable them to draw on their skills and creativity.