The sheer number and complexity of regulations and requirements can contribute to burnout in members of a profession.
Lingchi is the Asian method of torture and execution, referred to as death by a thousand cuts. The executioner would slice off small pieces of tissue over several hours or days rather than making simple cuts. The death was usually caused by a stab to the heart.
Features:
(1) a person is required to follow a very large number of seemingly small requirements
(2) the person feels overwhelmed as the cumulative effect is combined with all of the other demands that the person faces
The situation can arise when multiple groups or agencies independently make demands.
Factors that make it less bearable:
(1) the demands are constantly changing and increasing
(2) the demands have no rational benefit or a contradictory
(3) any feedback is ignored
(4) regulator's belief that each requirement is simple and not unreasonable
