The past year has been tough, and we all have fallen victim to one stressor or another: COVID, mandates, administrative burdens, misinformation, patients delaying screening measures, and limitations in access to care. Sometimes it may feel overwhelming. You might be asking yourself why you’re even practicing medicine when everyone is an expert in vaccines with a degree from Facebook University and a Master’s in “I did my own research.”
We need you, your patients need you, your family needs you. At times it may not feel like it, but you make a difference in the lives of those around you, and we need you at your best. That’s why I want to talk about physician burnout.
A lot has been said on burnout and how to keep it at bay. Often, we are encouraged to take a vacation, go on a retreat, or engage in self-care practices. For some, that’s great. For my colleagues facing physician and staff shortages, not so much. That’s not even mentioning the day-to-day roller coaster that is being a family physician.
Recently, I was speaking to a patient of mine who was about to go on hospice. I had cared for her for over seven years, and she had just been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer that had spread to her brain. She was telling me that her dying wish was to go rock hunting one more time in the hills of the state where she was born. We both knew that just wasn’t possible. It is excruciating to care for a patient in this situation. It is difficult not to break down and cry with them. But we do not because we are their support system.
I got off the phone with her, silently acknowledging that this would likely be the last time we would have a conversation before she passes or is too weak to speak. I stared outside my office window and wondered how in the world I got involved in this job.
I feel confident that many of you have had a similar experience. You probably handle these types of interactions in between telling a patient good news, making dinner plans with your spouse, and trying to convince a patient to get the COVID vaccine. Sometimes you can relate a bit too well to Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler and just feel “Helpless.”
The 2021 AAFP FMX virtual conference contained an excelled burnout lecture by Dr. Corey Martin titled “The Science of Gratitude.” You can watch the lecture through the AAFP FMX On Demand right now; I’m happy to wait. Okay, fine, since I appreciate you taking the time to read this, I’ll give you a summary. Dr. Martin’s findings and recommendations can improve your mental health (he has data to back him up, and I can attest with my personal experience as well):
- Random Acts of Kindness: One simple act can improve your outlook for seven to 14 days!
- Three Good Things: Each night for at least two weeks, write down three good things that happened to you before you go to bed.
- Call or text at least one person each day who is meaningful in your life, and tell them so.
Dr. Martin’s presentation is a great one. I have worked on following his suggestions and have noticed an improvement in my overall well-being.
Whether you follow these tips, take a trip to Disneyland, have a glass of wine, go for a run, or stop by your favorite burger joint, I encourage each of you to recognize when you’re feeling down and/or burned out and commit to some daily self-care time. Not only is this good for your mental and physical well-being, it’s good for the ones you love as well.
So, what are you waiting for?
Chad A. Spain, MD, FAAFP
IG.: chad_spain_md_FAAFP
chadspainmd@gmail.com
