HJNO Nov/Dec 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  NOV / DEC 2022 51 George S. Ellis, Jr., MD President MASELA are nine physician segment and profes- sional committees, which address critical topics and challenges to professional sat- isfaction. VALUE: ONLINE PRESENCE BRINGS ATTENTION TO MASELA ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES JPMS, OPMS, and MASELA are on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Face- book. New followers are added daily. We are working to enhance our online pres- ence. VALUE: MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS KEEP MASELA MEMBERS INFORMED “MASELAMinute” is a weekly short and sweet eblast to keep members abreast of the latest happenings and activities of the organization. If you are a physician member, thank you. If not, we encourage you to join hundreds of your colleagues who have already recognized the value of joining JPMS, OPMS and MASELA. You can join at masela.org/join. n 1) Burnout can happen to anyone. Myers shared that burnout is occupational in origin, systemic, and not intrinsic to an individual. He noted that changes are occurring in many institutions of learning and medical workplaces to address the causes of burnout in recognition of the price paid for toxic work sites and intro- duced the notion of Tait Shanafelt, MD, “making the business case for tackling burnout.” 2) Physicians are known to be some of the most resilient people on the planet. They are characterized by good problem-solving skills, sound judgment, cognitive savvy, ability to multitask, ability to bounce back in the face of stress, and have good mood regulation. Yet, they can be felled with overwhelming stress and are able to bounce back with appropriate resources. 3) Burnout is not the same as depression. Myers noted that there are overlapping symptoms between burnout and depression and that the two can coexist; or, burnout can lead to depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, anxiety, and a host of interpersonal problems at work and home. He recommended a con- sultation with a mental health professional and other measures before there’s heightened morbidity or it leads to mortality. 4) Watch your “agency.” Having a sense of agency refers to the feeling of control over actions and their consequences. Physicians who have diminishing or nonexistent agency can experience burnout. Myers encouraged physicians to speak up, join a committee, ask for change, and meet with leaders, family, or a therapist before becoming “used up.” Physicians are encouraged to set a timeline for change to occur and then to take action if the situation doesn’t improve. 5) Practice self-compassion. Self-compassion is a relatively new term in the physician health lexicon as Myers explained. He noted that physicians must treat themselves with the same kindness, time, attention, and love that physicians give to others and that the rewards are renewal and a loss of bitterness, martyr- dom, and self-pity. 6) Return to the basics of self-care. Myers advised that self-care including rest, sleep, good nutrition, exercise, hobbies, and protecting time for one’s self are all important to avoiding burnout. 7) Protect time for your family. Protecting time for one’s family and those who you care for is critical to remaining connected. Nurturing that support system can be helpful in times of extreme stress. 8) Care for each other. John Donne’s quote, “No man is an island,” is true. Myers stressed the importance of needing others in medicine for support and collegiality. He encouraged physicians to watch out for changes in peers, to consider reaching out, and to listen, empathize and assist when needed. 9) Religion and spirituality. This aspect of stress and burnout prevention is an extremely personal one. However, it is shown to be helpful as it is a departure from the responsibilities and demands of professional life. Whether practiced privately and/or communally, many positive benefits are derived including appreci- ating a bigger picture of one’s life, have a calming effect, insight and guidance, and allowing the physician to meet new people, volunteer, or give back. 10) Practice gratitude. Myers stressed the importance of an attitude of gratitude and summed up the value of gratitude in this quote by Oliver Sacks, a well-known scientist and storyteller: “I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return; I have read and traveled and thought and written. I have had an intercourse with the world, the special intercourse of writers and readers. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.” 11) Psychotherapy. Myers noted the value of seeing a qualified therapist including symptom relief, un- derstanding oneself better, learning cues or triggers to watch for, gaining self-care skills, learning how to communicate more authentically and honestly, shedding guilt, building self-esteem, and maturing per- sonally and professionally. Thriving in Medicine…Despite Everything Michael Myers, MD, Guest Speaker For more information: michaelfmyers.com MASELA Meeting October 6, 2022 (This article is taken directly from the presentation given to members of MASELA by Michael Myers, MD.)