Assessment Results: Little Sign of Burnout
According to your answers, you appear to exhibit few signs of physician burnout. However, even if you’re not experiencing typical symptoms of burnout today, the very nature of the medical profession means eventual burnout is a distinct possibility in your future. That’s why starting a preventative maintenance program is imperative to increase your resilience and reduce your burnout risk.
*It is strongly advised that you seek professional help to manage any burnout symptoms, and the following does not constitute medical advice.*
Next Steps
Follow these physician burnout prevention tips, based on the new book from Shawn C. Jones, MD, FACS, Finding Heart in Art: A surgeon’s Renaissance Approach to Healing Modern Medical burnout:
1. Develop a spiritual and mindfulness practice
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques have been found to help reduce burnout in health professionals and promote essential skills such as compassion, empathy, patience and forgiveness. Devote at least 15-20 minutes each day to contemplative prayer or meditation to reduce stress and anxiety, regain focus and boost your overall sense of wellbeing.
2. Prioritize enjoyable activities
As a physician, it’s easy to let work completely consume your life because it’s difficult to take time off, set boundaries and avoid taking your work home with you. However, it’s vital to regularly participate in activities outside of work that truly bring you joy, whether that’s painting, hiking, writing, jogging or watching films. Schedule these activities in if you have to, but make them a priority in your everyday life!
3. Find your community
Part of minimizing physician burnout is being able to recognize the symptoms and willing to ask for help—that’s why it’s essential to surround yourself with a support system that can raise a red flag if you’re headed down a dark path. Meeting regularly with a close group of friends and sharing advice, opinions and feedback will help you remain connected, balanced and self-aware.
Learn More
For more insight on combating the effects of burnout, pick up a copy of Finding Heart in Art: A surgeon’s Renaissance Approach to Healing Modern Medical burnout.