A Question of Burnout

Re “The Limits of Compassion” (by Michael Quintanilla, Aug 2): This article was compelling reading for me, an ex-social worker of 25 years. I identify with the feelings of frustration expressed by Chuck Teixeira and Rita Russo. I feel the answer to Michael Quintanilla’s question of “why the burnout?” needs to be taken a step further.

Our society is not committed to solving social/health problems. We are committed to making it appear that we are. Agencies are either afflicted with funding cuts or self-inflicted internal fiscal restraints. If people in need received everything to which they were currently entitled, there would be less burnout.

Those on the front lines have the people in need pulling them in one direction, and the “giving” agencies pulling in the other. Longer applications, fewer staff, and increasingly limited resources are what we put on the plate. It’s no surprise that our patients/clients react with anger and frustration; it’s no surprise our caregivers do, as well.

JUDITH F. HARRIS

Long Beach