Prior to these readings, I didn’t have much understanding or personal experience with technology-mediated practice, so my views were mostly positive and focused on the idea of using technology as a helpful tool. However, I can now see how it could become overwhelming. This is my first time taking asynchronous online classes, and even with a part-time schedule, I’ve started to feel some fatigue from spending so many hours on my laptop. It’s definitely led to less movement and less time with friends and family. I’ve also had jobs that required being on a computer all day, and I remember how mentally and physically draining that could be. These experiences have helped me realize how important it is to find balance and build habits that protect against tech fatigue.

The area that resonated with me most from Hilty et al. (2023), Figure 2 is Attitude/Outlook, because I think we’ve all experienced this at some point in a job. Everything usually starts with good intentions, but fatigue doesn’t just wear us down physically, it affects our mindset and relationships too. I’ve seen how exhaustion can make it harder to stay positive or engaged, even when you truly care about your work or the people you serve. Over time, that emotional fatigue can lead to burnout, where you start to feel detached or ineffective. What stands out most to me is how common this is in helping professions, where compassion and connection are central. It’s a powerful reminder that maintaining balance and setting boundaries isn’t selfish, it’s essential. We can’t fully show up for others if we’re constantly running on empty.

I chose Clinical Care because I may face these challenges in the future as I plan to become an LCSW. After reading about tech fatigue, I realize how common and significant it is in technology-mediated care. Providing therapy online requires a different kind of effort and it can be harder to connect with clients, and important nonverbal cues might be missed. It may also be more difficult to comfort a client through a screen when they are emotional. I can imagine how doing telehealth all day could start to feel monotonous and lead to too much screen time. Table 2 highlights the importance of adjusting communication styles and managing workloads so there’s time for breaks, exercise, and other professional responsibilities like charting and training. It also emphasizes focusing on the rewarding aspects of the job and being aware of the signs of burnout before it escalates. These are great reminders for maintaining balance and preventing fatigue in clinical practice.

In the MacDonald (2022) article, the clinician’s opinion that resonated with me most was about having more personal time to spend with family and do things they enjoy because they no longer had to commute. They were able to use that extra time in positive ways and essentially take it back for themselves. I see working from home as a big positive and feel that, for many people, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I can see myself working from home in the future because when the workday ends, I can simply shut off my computer and already be home, able to immediately do things I enjoy instead of spending hours commuting. I do recognize that maintaining boundaries might be a challenge when your workspace and home space overlap, it can be harder to fully “leave” work. My husband experienced this shift firsthand; before the pandemic, he commuted an hour each way, but now he works from home and has gained those two hours back. It’s truly improved his quality of life, and he absolutely loves it.

Ratliffe (2020) gives a very accurate description of burnout, highlighting low work satisfaction, chronic stress, and mental exhaustion, often worsened by a lack of recognition for your efforts. She also references other readings on burnout that I plan to explore further for reflection and research. One tool she mentions is the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which measures burnout in clinical professionals. I haven’t used it myself yet, but it seems like an important resource that I hope to apply in my future social work practice. Ratliffe emphasizes self-care as a key way to prevent burnout, suggesting techniques like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. I think the most important step is to develop self-awareness, recognizing symptoms of burnout early so you can make adjustments in your personal and professional life before it becomes severe. Another helpful strategy is having a support system of fellow social workers or peers to share experiences with and discuss the challenges of the profession with people who understand.