Challenge
- Emotional exhaustion
- Negative self-esteem
- Loss of personal satisfaction or
- Negative changes in mood, behavior, attitude
Numerous surveys and reports detail the extent of burnout among physicians. The Mayo Clinic found physicians display almost double the rate of emotional exhaustion as the general working population, accompanied by lower satisfaction with work-life balance. Loss of enthusiasm for work is accompanied by depersonalization of patients and feeling ineffective at work.
For a survey to assess burnout, as well as online communities, articles and other health and wellness tools, see “Solutions” to the right.
Solutions
Physician Well Being Index: A confidential self assessment developed by Mayo Clinic to assess your current level of well-being, learn how your level of well-being compares to your peers, track changes in your well-being over time, and gain access to just-in-time resources designed to promote your well-being and address a variety of concerns.
The AMA Steps Forward program offers resources, education and tools; you need not be an AMA member to access it.
Mental Health America online self surveys to assess your mental health. Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible.
Online communities allow physicians to share concerns and insights.
The Happy MD by Dike Drummond, MD, offers coaching, training and consulting to treat and prevent burnout.
Kevin MD is a collaborative site for physicians, residents and others to share stories and insights about health care.
ZDoggMD mixes humor and rap music. Dr. Zubin Damania leads in-depth conversations with medical thought leaders and mercilessly satirizes pseudoscience and the celebrities endorsing it on the media.
Collegial groups
The American Balint Society, a group of physicians or clinicians who meet regularly to discuss clinical cases, helps uncover new perceptions through shared experiences.
MindTools is an online training webpage focused on helping you excel at work by teaching leadership and personal effectiveness skills. While it is designed for most professionals, physicians may benefit from its resources on time and stress management as well other relevant topics like recovering from burnout.
Ted Talks, for when you feel totally burned out
Worn out? Exhausted? Bleary-eyed? If you need a little something to ease your frustration and get you back in the spirit, this collection of talks should help.
Information
Being able to periodically pause and reflect throughout the day can make a dramatic difference in your practice and your life. Here are four ways physicians can harness the power of reflection.
The National Academy of Medicine website offers a knowledge hub of articles, research studies, and other resources to combat clinician burnout.