Thread by @hyderabaddoctor

"Burn-out" is real- take care to prevent it

1. Dr S was a very sincere pediatrician. She would spend quality time to counsel parents and clear all their doubts. She would attend to every case referred to her in emergency room (ER) and spend at least an hour per patient.

2. Dr S had a beautiful handwriting and her case notes were detailed. For a child with viral fever too, she would write two page notes and counsel parents for one hour (even if it was past midnight). Her work was admired by parents (of sick children) as well as colleagues.

3. Within 3 months of joining the hospital, Dr S became very popular and became busy in OPD from 8 AM to 7 PM. In addition, she got calls from ER almost on daily basis and spent 3-4 hours every night attending to emergency patients. This continued for a year or so.

4. I didn't see Dr S in OPD or ER for a few days. I had a patient whom I wanted to refer to her. On calling on mobile, it was answered by her husband, who said "she is sick and resting at home". She remained absent for a month. After a month, I met her in hospital; came to know+

5. Dr S had suffered from a severe burn-out. It took her about six months to come out of that. Even after that, she was far from her old self. She could attend to only a few OPD cases in a nearby clinic, that too, with the help of a junior doctor.

6. Dr S is not a unique case. Burn out among physicians is real and relatively common. In my 30 years as a doctor, I have seen many similar cases. It can affect junior as well as senior doctors, so, seniority is not a protection against burn out.

7. Some strategies to reduce burn out:
*Limit the number of working hours,
*Take help of colleagues & nurses, where possible
*Take leave when sick
*Take breaks and vacations
*Spend quality time with family and friends,
*Don't compromise on sleep
*Eat on time
*Regular exercise

7a. *If any problems, discuss with colleagues or report to seniors
*If you are stuck with a difficult patient, don't hesitate to discuss with peers and take their help,
*Death of a patient whom you cared for can be traumatic- share with close friends
*Ask for suitable salary

8. I request my doctor colleagues to add to this post, so that the quality of life can be improved among physicians and burnout can be prevented/reduced.
#MedTwitter #burnout #Physicians