The shift of healthcare to the ambulatory care setting has resulted in a dr
amatic increase in the burden placed on a patient's family and other loved
ones. Despite this fact, caregiver burden and burnout are probably greatly
underidentified by primary care physicians. The authors of this article pro
vide information that will help to better identify and manage these trying
situations. They also alert physicians to the possibility of their own burn
out and the need to maintain a healthy perspective.