Combating Burn Out

Practice-Based & Life Long Learning

  • 3.4: Identify one’s own strengths, weaknesses and limits:
    • seek and respond appropriately to performance feedback
    • maintain and appropriate balance of personal and professional commitments
    • seek help and advice when needed

The concept of burnout, which had once only been used to describe an electric device over heating, has now become a common term to describe the emotional fatigue that has plagued medical providers for the past decades. In 2017, a study conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Mayo Clinic, and Stanford University School of Medicine found that 43.9% of US. physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout [1]. Even though I have yet to become a physician, I have already experienced fleeting, but powerful moments of burnout.

During my first few months of medical school, I was unprepared for the mental and emotional toll that studying medicine would have on my life. For the first time ever, I was constantly studying, striving to receive the highest marks, but to no avail. I would open the emails that would display the class average, and repeatedly my score was below average. As I observed my peers performing successfully, I started questioning my ability to become a strong physician. Frustration and angst would ripple throughout my body causing my mind would run ramped with negativities–you’re not good enough, you will fail your patients and their families. There were times when these thoughts would be all consuming, but over the years I have learned to be the master of my mind.

My journey to find mindfulness has not been easy and has not been one that I’ve traveled alone. At the beginning of my medical education, I found solace in talking to my family about my hardships. Specifically, my older brother Austin, was the person I could rely on at a moment’s notice to listen to me discuss my struggles. Without judgement, he stayed, listened, and provided me words of comfort to get me through another day. I am forever grateful to Austin and the rest of my family because they are the reason why I have the strength to continue on this path. Not only has my personal family, but now also my medical school family have been an instrumental component in alleviating feelings of burnout.

They always say that friends are the family that you choose, and I am grateful that my friends have chosen me to be a part of their life. My friend group, also known as the ‘mud-bloods of medicine,’ since we all have non-physician parents, are some of the kindest and most supportive people that I have ever met. We are always there for each other when someone is feeling stressed about school or going through difficult personal matters. I know that I can rely on them for anything and hope they feel the same towards me. We help each other with stress by listening to the other person vent, giving hugs, or working out together. Exercise has also played a major role in alleviating stress. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed I’ll go on a run or workout at the gym. Unfortunately, sometimes I feel guilty for working out. I think that I should spend that time studying instead. When I have these thoughts, my friends are always there to remind me that it’s important to take care of myself. I am extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful support system. With my friends and family, I know that I will not only get through medical school, but also thrive.

In my final year of medical school, I have been focusing on finding internal happiness rather than relying on external factors to bring me joy. I have realized that while friends and family are important, ultimately I am the one responsible for combating my burnout. In order to find internal happiness, I have started to see a therapist. Counseling has been essential for me to better understand myself and my past experiences. Through counseling, I have learned to radically accept my imperfections, my struggles, and my defeats. In addition to therapy, I have also been practicing yoga. By concentrating my mind on the map, and pushing out all of my distractions I am able to find a place of mindfulness. The road to self-love and acceptance has been difficult and one that I will have to continue working on for the rest of my life. I know, that if I continue on this path that I will be able to combat any future challenges or struggles, including burn out.

Goals:

  • Understand my limitations and be able to decline new projects if my schedule is already full.
  • Practice radical acceptance for the things I cannot change.
  • Bring an element of positivity and joy to each shift.

Plan:

  • Reach out to friends and family in times of need.
  • Complete one form of exercise every week during residency.
    • Ex: yoga, running, StudioTorch/Orange Theory
  • Check in with other residents weekly:
    • Assess how they are feeling
    • Provide emotional support
    • Encourage others to seek professional help when needed
  • Organize fun active activities with co-residents to help us all engage in a healthy lifestyle.

 

References:

  1. Shanafelt, Tait D. et al. Changes in Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Integration in Physicians and the General US Working Population Between 2011 and 2017. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 94, Issue 9, 1681 – 1694

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