This week, we will be talking about physician burnout. Physician burnout is now considered a disease, and it is a disease with some heavy consequences. We will discuss how to recognize burnout and differentiate it from the daily stress with may experience providing patient care. We will also discuss how the symptoms of burnout may differ based on physician gender and what effects or complications burnout can have on our society and our lives. Finally, we will take a look at how we can change the conversation at our residency from burnout to wellness.
Please complete the three assigned “reading” assignments for III credit prior to attending conference. You can also take a look at the other resources below to help prepare you for our discussion. And finally, come to conference prepared to discuss the questions listed below.
Reading Assignments (III):
1. Watch this video on symptoms of burnout and gender differences in burnout.
2. Watch this video on the effects of burnout on healthcare quality and provider quality of life.
3. Read this article on changing the conversation in residency from burnout to wellness.
Other Resources:
1. Read about how one hospital has implemented a “Code Lavender”.
2. Read this article on Emergency Medicine physician burnout and suicide rates.
3. Watch this video on the four main causes of physician burnout.
4. Look at this publication on the cost of physician burnout in the United States.
Questions to Discuss in Conference:
- What is burnout? How does it differ from stress?
- What are the three symptoms of burnout?
- How do the symptoms of burnout differ based on physician gender?
- What are some of the effects and complications of burnout?
- How would your group DEFINE wellness? And what elements of the Wellness Toolbox from the article (#3) would you like to see implemented in our residency program?