Occupational Problems

Joseph Gary, M.D., Arka Deb, M.D., M.P.H., Sara Bounds, M.S.W.

DEFINITION

  • According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker"[1].
  • An interrelated phenomenon is called "burnout," defined by the WHO as "a syndrome... resulting from chronic workplace stress... characterized by:
    • Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
    • Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
    • Reduced professional efficacy."[2]

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Last updated: August 23, 2025