I honestly have never really thought about fatigue related specifically to a technology-mediated practice. While I cannot speak to mental healthcare work specifically, I can speak to working virtually and fatigue. Before I started our program, I was an operations assistant for a virtual bookkeeping firm that was 100% remote. I was the only strictly ops person and I was quite lonely. I felt so disconnected from my team and really did not like being completely virtual. It also really wore on my body, as I struggle with back and neck issues and a neurological disorder. Constantly staring at numbers on a screen was incredibly wearing to my mind and body.
I do see the benefits of being able to sleep longer and not have a commute. Being able to be at home with my own things, sit in places more comfortable and have access to food and coffee whenever I wanted was great. I loved being able to see my kiddos and family when I wasn’t actively working. There was a work life balance element that was great, but I would have loved an option to share physical space with my coworkers.
When thinking about my future career, Technology/Site resonated with me the most. The tech aligning with care goals is something that I feel the most uncertain about. All of the tech social workers are utilizing feels overwhelming as a person who does not generally have a great relationship with technology. I know when tech is doing what it is meant to, it can make accessibility and engagement more successful with our clients. In order to keep this in a healthy place and prevent burnout, one would need to make sure all software is up to date, have good training around the best way to use the software, and communicate that information to clients. While I do see the benefits of working in a digital field, I hope that in person, site specific work is in my future, but I would be open and available to a hybrid workplace. Preventing burn out for me would be making sure to have that balance between tech and analogy service. I need to feel connected to people, really connected, in a way I do not see possible with a completely remote gig.
In tech and office, “Work space, screen time and ease of work” is the place I would have the most issues. I have a neurological condition called Occipital Neuralgia that is made worse by neck and back strain and tension. I have personally experienced working virtually causing bad neurological flares leaving me unable to accomplish anything. To prevent this from happening, I need to take breaks, sit in other places besides a desk, and make sure to have my medical care actively working.
In training, “social and interpersonal relationships” would be a personal struggle for me. I work best in person while sharing space with others. The community building and conversations that can be had are far more connecting than anything I have experienced on the web. I have attempted community building initiatives in remote work environments, but everyone needs to be on board for these things to work. Personally, I would be more likely to do an in person training or PD, as to connect deeper with the other folks going through it. If that were not possible, I would make sure to interact as much as possible when the opportunities arise.
In clinical care, I would worry the most about “engagement and communication problems” as I am someone who gains a lot of information from body language and nonverbal cues. The connection in the digital world/on video is not as strong and the separation of a screen takes away some of my ability to read people. I also can get distracted by other stimuli around me in video chat settings. I would need to make sure that I have a good space to be engaged and not have distracting things around me. I would need to set myself up for success and give myself the most ideal space I could to be able to take in as much information as possible.
In human factors, “Cumulative load of technology in work and life” would be a big one for me. I am someone who loves to be connected to others and the natural world. A life behind a screen feels so depressing for me. If I were to work in the digital realm, I would need to make sure my personal habits of being behind a screen were limited, which would be sad in some ways. I do like to watch movies and tv, I like to write, and from time to time I enjoy scrolling social media. These are all ways I use to connect with those I love. I truly do think the most important thing for me is to make sure that I have a job that can allow me to work in person, at least part of the time.
I completely understand the want to work from home and the benefits of not having a commute. While being able to roll out of bed, get coffee, and walk into the office sounds so nice, I think I resonate more with the folks who struggled with it. I relate with the feelings of disconnection to peers and the want to collaborate in real time. I also think I would benefit from having hard boundaries around work and home, in order to really separate work life from home life and not over working.
I would likely not want a technology-mediated practice. I am such a collaborative and community oriented person and it is the way I am happiest in the workplace. I honestly cannot imagine working completely remote, but I could see myself possibly having a hybrid work situation. The idea of being able to go slow some mornings is very appealing to me.
Her definitions of burnout feel incredibly true and at times hard to read. I know I have been close to burnout for a while now and she is really making me question how far into it I actually am. I think the wider reaching definitions of burnout are likely more accurate, as I am not sure I agree that only folks in helping professions experience it. I know many people who have worked in many fields that have experienced it, especially in the post pandemic world. The access our phones and computers have given to us has also taken away our ability to disconnect and be unavailable. I believe this is one of the biggest factors in recent years that has caused so much burnout. I do not feel motivated to read more on the subject because I feel like I know exactly what she is talking about. I have been working as the President of a Cooperative Preschool and we have had a tough couple of years. The emotional toll has been real. I have never taken the Maslach Burnout Inventory, but I would be interested in it. I am curious and scared of knowing how I would score. I looked into taking it now, but I cannot find a free resource.
Her suggestion of mindfulness exercises is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Practicing disconnecting from the chaos and learning how to be completely present has saved elements of my mind during hard times. It is honestly one of the best things my children have ever helped me work on. I have practiced yoga and meditation for years, but having little children who live their lives SO in the present has helped me to solidify my mindfulness practice in such a beautiful way. I will always be grateful for this lesson and all the things it has given to me.
Hi Miranda,
I really enjoyed reading your reflection because it felt so honest and relatable. I can totally understand what you mean about the challenges of working remotely and feeling disconnected from your team that sense of isolation is tough, especially when you’re used to more in-person interaction. I also admire how you’re so aware of your body’s needs with your neurological condition and how you’re proactive about managing breaks and your workspace. It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into balancing technology use with your well-being, and I agree that having some in-person connection is really important for building relationships and staying grounded. Thanks for sharing your experienceit gave me a lot to think about in terms of how tech impacts us differently depending on our circumstances.
Miranda,
I share some of your sentiments of having physical human interaction in the same workspace. For me, semi- remote work offered some benefits, however, I was lacking that community bond that a workplace environment brings. Presently, my job would only allow for remote work for natural disasters and emergencies. The director of my department urges the staff to leave all laptops and work phones at work at the end of the workday. Her encouragement helps in finding the work life balance that burnt out individuals experience.
Miranda,
Your answer to question 1 is shared by almost all of us – as well as the folks in the articles, right? We are beginning to see that totally remote work has a built in paradox. We love the flexibility and the opportunity to take back those commuting hours, but we also long for the connection to real life people in relationship to our work. And that is a natural connection to your second answer – please give me a hybrid environment. I think as we talk about the realities of this work, the desire to work in a hybrid setting seems like the logical solution.
For you, the realities of the physical space are huge. There is a lot of information about the types of equipment, software and tools that are necessary in a technology environment to respond to different physical and mental conditions. You went above and beyond in your answer to this question, as you were only required to pick one of the areas – but as I re-read my question I now understand why so many of you answered in all four areas. I apologize for the phrasing of the questions and creating more wor for you all. You did a great job in answering in all four areas.
I get the personal work balance issues, but I’m just not sure how we are going to avoid that, right? Good advice. And the need for in-person connection is a significant issue. We will be talking more and more about that over the next couple of weeks.
Nice job.
Dr P