'Doctors need dose of cynicism'
12 April 2012
Cynicism is a positive trait in doctors who use it to cushion themselves against stress and burnout, researchers claim today.
Dr Chris McManus and colleagues from University College London investigated the links between stress and burnout in 331 hospital doctors and GPs.
The study found that emotional exhaustion and stress levels were reciprocally linked - that is, one led to the other. But stress was lowered by cynicism, or "depersonalisation".
Surprisingly, an increased sense of personal and professional accomplishment actually added to stress levels.
The researchers recommended that stressbusting programmes should concentrate on reducing emotional exhaustion, perhaps by lowering workload.
