The Medicalization of Burnout Between Professional Authenticity and Bioethical Challenges

Abstract

Contemporary society attests to an increasing rate of burnout which creates tensions between individuals and professional environments. Initially considered specific to human services personnel, burnout has extended beyond healthcare to organizational leaders and entrepreneurs. This study examines the medicalization of burnout through bioethical principles, exploring tensions between medical intervention and professional authenticity. A demedicalization model emphasizing holistic health is proposed, addressing individual, organizational, and social levels while maintaining professional integrity without reducing the phenomenon to medical diagnosis and treatment alone.