Burnout in Pelvic Health: The Emotional Load of Intimate Care
We recently hosted Dr Jacqui Stanford, Health and Clinical Psychologist, for a webinar on avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout. Having worked with Jacqui previously, I knew this session would challenge us to look inward rather than outward - and it didn't disappoint.
The focus wasn't on what workplaces should do differently. It was about what we, as individual clinicians, can take responsibility for in our own practice.
As pelvic health physios, we work in an inherently intimate space. We hear difficult stories, hold space for complex emotions, and navigate sensitive clinical territory daily. It's no wonder many of us feel the weight of it.
But here's what struck me most from Jacqui's presentation: much of our burnout comes from boundaries we fail to set, not just from the work itself.
A Few Key Takeaways Worth Reflecting On
You only have one container. We don't have separate work and home capacity - it's all the same container. When we overload at work, there's less space for everything else in life. Likewise, when our emotional cup is nearing full from home or social life stresses, it leaves little capacity for work - before we tip over the edge.
Caring vs carrying. We're responsible for providing excellent care, validation, and support. We're not responsible for fixing our patients' lives or carrying their emotional burden home with us. This is a topic we have heard from Jacqui about before, and it’s a great way to frame things, not only for us but for our patients benefit too.
Containment matters. Being clear about our role and scope from the beginning protects both us and our patients. Redirecting appropriately isn't unkind - it's professional.
Your internal dialogue matters. The difference between "I have to" and "I choose to” shifts our sense of control. Small language changes can make a real difference in how we experience our workload.
The Practical Side
Some of the concrete strategies i loved from what Jacqui offered were to
Protect time boundaries within the day - consider a 45min consult as 40 mins with the patient and 5 mins to finish outstanding admin before moving to the next client. If a patient requests detailed follow-up reports or letters consider if you can agree to re-book do it with the client as part of the next consult.
Creating home-to-work transition rituals - like listening to a podcast on the way home.
Seeking supervision and support - always have a scheduled, not ad-hoc, time to meet and debrief with a colleague or mentor
Actually taking planned leave - think ahead and have something to look forward to
All of these are within our control.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Jacqui's message wasn't about doing less or caring less. It was about working smarter, setting clearer boundaries, and taking responsibility for our own wellbeing instead of waiting for someone else to fix it.
Burnout in pelvic health is real. The emotional load of intimate care is significant. But we have more control over our experience than we might think.
Final reflection question: What's one boundary you could set this week that would lighten your load?
These are personal reflections from Dr Jacqui Stanford's webinar on avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout presented to PPPM members. For comprehensive guidance on managing burnout, consider seeking supervision or professional support.
If you're experiencing burnout, please reach out to a supervisor, colleague, or mental health professional.