Burnout: current knowledge and relevance to old age psychiatry.

OBJECTIVES: To review the literature on burnout and consider its relevance to old age psychiatry and the role of the consultant. DATA SOURCES: Medline and PsychLit computerized databases. DATA SYNTHESIS: Burnout is a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased sense of personal accomplishment which is recognized in people working in the human service professions and can have adverse effects on the workforce. There is little evidence of unique stressors related to care of elderly mentally ill people. Burnout is likely to be modified by workplace interventions. Relevant areas for intervention are political and social, organizational and management, training and personal issues. Support to consultants and their continuing professional development need to be radically reviewed.