Thread by @laxswamy

I had the chance to speak about individual well-being strategies... I opened by saying it's like asking a patient coming in with gunshot wounds if they've had their colonoscopy yet. It is a hard subject to talk about... 🧵#CHEST2021

https://twitter.com/gretchemaben/status/1449786069411586050

I started with what I think of as 🚩🚩🚩 when I hear about wellbeing. Especially during covid. Especially in the ICU. See this thread for more! #CHEST2021

https://twitter.com/laxswamy/status/1449203321718427648?t=RLO6uy0CBEL52S8AZ4WaWQ&s=19

For the next portion of the talk, I share content from an AMA module I helped write for medical students in toxic or stressful environments. I think a lot of it applies to all of us in 2021. #CHEST2021 edhub.ama-assn.org/med-student-le…

Domains of wellness:
Physical: sleep & your own medical care
Emotional: therapy! You deserve it.
Social: reconnect w friends outside of medicine
Sense of purpose: oof, this is tough in COVID world. I made @CritCareGame for this very reason... #CHEST2021 boston.com/news/entertain…

Recognize these common physical, emotional, & social signs of stress & burnout in yourself but perhaps even more importantly in your colleagues. We have to look out for each other- can't always rely on your institution or leadership. #CHEST2021

https://twitter.com/gretchemaben/status/1449786104144613380?t=xt0W6EDdjE1JRNF6AjgjgA&s=19

Tackling burnout syndrome:
Emotional exhaustion: recharge your batteries with love outside of the work.
Lack of sense of accomplishment: small victories & creating things- a run, cooking, something that feels like you *Did Something*
Depersonalization is tougher... #CHEST2021

One way I return to my sense of self when I feel like I don't know who I am anymore is through intentional reflection. @RanaAwdish does this through painting, others journal, or discuss things on Twitter. Whatever it is... Reflect intentionally. #CHEST2021

https://twitter.com/RanaAwdish/status/1422720687190458376?t=xt0W6EDdjE1JRNF6AjgjgA&s=19

We built these core values into the module- more important now than ever. All important, but which 5 would you absolutely never compromise? If your work is pushing you to give up on what matters to you, maybe it's time for a change. #CHEST2021

https://twitter.com/gretchemaben/status/1449786119999082499?t=Kqv2O5zEcz49Nt1YOMKIJQ&s=19

I remember many moments last year when the stress was explosive. Codes, deaths, everything. If you feel like your heart is jumping out of your chest, you're totally wound up, and you can't shake it off, try the SCOPE method. #CHEST2021 traumahealing.org/scope/

"I'll need therapy when I start to have thoughts about hurting myself." I think that's the way a lot of us in medicine are conditioned to think. It. Is. Absurd. Therapy is not about getting advice and it doesn't just have to be about getting out of a crisis... #CHEST2021

Therapy has made me better. A better person, a better father, a better husband, a better doctor. It isn't just about fixing broken people. It can make you more you...and maybe we're all a little more broken than we think after this last year. You are worth it. Do it. #CHEST2021

We are in the middle of a mental health crisis that is getting worse every day. Access is tremendously difficult. If you're looking for a place to start, try @TherapyAidInc - free and low cost therapy for front line workers. You deserve it. #CHEST2021

Thanks for watching and for reading. Thank you even more for being out there caring for the sickest patients and helping us learn how to do it better. We commissioned this piece to say all of that and more. Take care of each other, #teamCriticalCare #CHEST2021

Ooh and check out our Kickstarter, only a few days left to get a first edition copy of @CritCareGame! #CHEST2021 kickstarter.com/projects/zente…

Our burnout talk is featured in @accpchest daily news! chestdailynews.chestnet.org/covid-19-pande… @RachelQuaneyMD @gretchemaben @sfaiz212 #CHEST2021