What an amazing webinar with Women In Medicine (@WIMSummit #WIM). Thanks @ShikhaJainMD and @LaurieBaedke for hosting Dr Mansfield and me.
You asked me to tweet about "burnout"...so here are some thoughts... 1/9
You asked me to tweet about "burnout"...so here are some thoughts... 1/9
There's loads of research by terrific Dr Christina Maslach on the causes of "burnout," and all of the causes occur in healthcare.
(here's one study I like: Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1981). The Measurement of Experience Burnout. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 2: 99-113) 2/9
(here's one study I like: Maslach, C. & Jackson, S.E. (1981). The Measurement of Experience Burnout. Journal of Occupational Behavior, 2: 99-113) 2/9
Burnt-out results from any individual feeling emotionally and/or physically exhausted, repetitive work without a feeling of accomplishment, repetitive negative engagements with others, a feeling of not being appreciated, and "life" being out of control. 3/9
We all know it's a major issue with healthcare workers, especially physicians. Long hours, lots of patients, stressful situations, others controlling your schedule or call, not feeling you're making a dent, etc, etc. 4/9
Dr Mansfield hit some ways to counter it. Finding time for "life balance" (easy to say, tough to do), reflecting on your accomplishments through journaling, a reinforcing environment (by your leaders and teams), good sleep (something we as a nation don't do well)... 5/9
...finding stress relief (exercise, meditation, prayer), finding ways to take charge (after learning about how to lead), and often returning to the thought "why did I get into medicine in the first place, and am i making a difference?" 6/9
These are some techniques, applied differently by everyone. But it's also important to have a "battle buddy" (and a mentor) who can help you work through these issues.
Of interest... 7/9
Of interest... 7/9
My doctoral thesis was research on different physician leader training techniques. One measures (because i was asked to do so by the hospital), was "change in self-perceived burnout."
Interestingly, w/o addressing the topic, there was a significant change in all groups! 8/9
Interestingly, w/o addressing the topic, there was a significant change in all groups! 8/9
I can't attribute the change to anything specific, but I believe it was a result of physicians reflecting on their profession, their personal and professional values, and feeling they were given a new lease to gain control by leading.
Hope this thread helps. 9/9
Hope this thread helps. 9/9
