Clinician burnout w Dr Jo Prendergast

This episode explores burnout in healthcare, its definitions, warning signs, systemic causes, and strategies for prevention. Dr. Louise Kuegler interviews Dr. Jo Prendergast, a psychiatrist and expert on mental health in medicine, to shed light on how clinicians can recognise and address burnout effectively.

Practical pearls:

• Burnout is a system problem, not a personal failure.
• Burnout affects both emotions and the nervous system—both need support.
• Physical symptoms and withdrawal are early warning signs.
• Small recovery moments, like slow breathing, quickly reduce stress.
• Stress spreads through teams; calm and vulnerability do too.
• Leaders set the tone by modelling boundaries and honesty.
• Peer support turns isolation into connection and resilience.

Bio:

Dr Jo Prendergast is a psychiatrist, keynote speaker, author, comedian, and breast cancer survivor. She combines clinical expertise, humour, and lived experience to make mental health conversations engaging and relatable. A graduate of the University of Otago Medical School and a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Jo has worked in mental health services across New Zealand and Australia for more than 30 years.

Jo is the author of When Life Sucks, commissioned by HarperCollins, and an award-winning comedian. She has three solo comedy shows and has toured to international festivals across Australia and the UK. A sought-after keynote speaker and media commentator, Jo regularly appears on television, radio, and podcasts, and is known for making complex topics such as mental health, resilience, and wellbeing both accessible and entertaining. Jo is available for keynote presentations, conferences, corporate events, media interviews, and live performances.

Resources:

Prendergast J. Dr Jo Prendergast [Internet]. Available from: https://drjoprendergast.com/

HarperCollins Australia. When Life Sucks: The Practical and Effective How-To Guide to Parenting Your Teen Through Tough Times [Internet]. Available from: https://harpercollins.com.au/products/9781775541998_when-life-sucks-the-practical-and-effective-how-to-guide-to-parenting-your-teen-through-tough-times-from-an-expert-psychiatrist-and-comedian-for-fans-of-maggie-dent-celia-lashlie-and-nigel-latta

Krebs L, Jung L, Arrich J. Prevention of burnout syndrome in physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2026;138(5-6):167-178. doi:10.1007/s00508-025-02601-y.

Tsatiris D. Physician Burnout: How to Rise Above a Broken Healthcare System as a Practicing Clinician. 1st ed. London: Routledge; 2025. doi:10.4324/9781003473923.

Listen here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/clinician-burnout-w-dr-jo-prendergast/id1845748299?i=1000773646680

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hlyWpPXYAWbjNSdczRmtz?si=ae8f51c9e81741ee