Hello to all,
We know that the consequences of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization can be devasting. The Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2022:Stress, Anxiety and Anger, tells us that 60% of emergency medicine physicians surveyed are burnt out. 64% of nurses surveyed were burnt out as well. And it's worse now than during the pandemic. Too many bureaucratic tasks like charting and paperwork, and EHRs, along with lack of respect have played a part in paving this road to burnout. 48% of those surveyed said they exercise to cope. A frightening 45% said that they isolate as a coping mechanism. 49% have not sought help because they feel that they can deal with the burnout without the help of a professional. Another barrier was risk of disclosure to the medical board and having a record of receiving treatment in their insurance records. 43% said they would not even consider using their companies' programs to decrease burnout. If this isn't a wakeup call for ALL of us, I don't know what is. We are very lucky to have a healthcare system that has a wide variety of CONFIDENTIAL supports. We have an administrative team that is open and willing to listen. We need to get over the stigma of asking for help, whether we may need a few minutes to de-stress during the day, or we need professional help. If your car was making a weird noise, you would go to a mechanic. It's a safety issue for you, your family and other people on the road. Our mental health is no different. We know that worldwide the majority of healthcare workers are having issues of post-pandemic depression and anxiety. Let's do something about. Don't be afraid to let someone know you are hurting. Don't be afraid to reach out for assistance. Let's avoid a possible crash and keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe and healthy.
Stay safe and have a great week!
Best,
Dr. Heidi Levine
Don't forget Trivia Night on Teams, tomorrow, March 21 at 8 pm!
picture credit: https://www.additudemag.com/burnout-adhd-adult-stress-pressure/