Self-Care Tips for Health Professionals
While being a health professional can offer a plethora of career opportunities, it also has one of the highest rates of career fatigue compared to the general population. The Journal of Industrial Health reported a study that over 84% of dentists responded with feelings of burnout [1]. Whereas the top three medical specialities for burnout are urology (54%), neurology (50%), and nephrology (49%). The lowest incidence of burnout is reported in general surgery (35%), psychiatry (35%), and orthopedics (34%) [2].
Below are some self-care tips for health professionals to maintain a high quality and long term career.
1. Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
1. Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
As health care professionals you are focused on patient care and it can be easy to dismiss your own self-care. In the article, "How Health Care Workers Can Take Care of Themselves," Fessell and Goleman highlight the four pillars to emotional intelligence: Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management [3]. It has been found in many research studies that health professionals with high emotional intelligence foster trust amongst patients, increase patient satisfaction and have a decrease in work burnout [4].
1. Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
As health care professionals you are focused on patient care and it can be easy to dismiss your own self-care. In the article, "How Health Care Workers Can Take Care of Themselves,"Fessell and Goleman highlight the four pillars to emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management [3]. It has been found in many research studies that health professionals with high emotional intelligence foster trust amongst patients, increase patient satisfaction and have a decrease in work burnout [4].
As health care professionals you are focused on patient care and it can be easy to dismiss your own self-care. In the article, "How Health Care Workers Can Take Care of Themselves,"Fessell and Goleman highlight the four pillars to emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management [3]. It has been found in many research studies that health professionals with high emotional intelligence foster trust amongst patients, increase patient satisfaction and have a decrease in work burnout [4].
Fessell and Goleman also highlight question you can ask yourself to help foster your emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness: Am I aware of my emotions? Am I aware of how I am expressing them and impacting others? Are my basic human needs being met? (i.e. sleep, nutrition, exercise)
- Self-management: Do I have effective ways to navigate emotional triggers? What is in my zone of control? What brings meaning and purpose to my life?
- Social awareness: Do I listen to others first to understand rather than rush to respond? Can I identify and name others’ emotions accurately? Whose work haven’t I recognized?
- Relationship management: Am I bringing extra patience, and assuming the best about others? Are my communications frequent, clear, and open to feedback?
2. Connect with Colleagues
2. Connect with Colleagues
There are health care providers who will experience social isolation in the workforce such as dentistry. Some dentists will report how isolating dentistry is because of a lack of professional support. This can be evident in smaller practices or with solo dental owners who have the added responsibility of running a business.
This feeling of solitude can further contribute to work burnout so it’s important to feel connected with others in your profession. Joining a local study club or a professional organization like the American Dental Association (ADA) and local dental chapters can help provide a professional and personal support system.
There are health care providers who will experience social isolation in the workforce such as dentistry. Some dentists will report how isolating dentistry is because of a lack of professional support. This can be evident in smaller practices or with solo dental owners who have the added responsibility of running a business.
This feeling of solitude can further contribute to work burnout so it’s important to feel connected with others in your profession. Joining a local study club or a professional organization like the American Dental Association (ADA) and local dental chapters can help provide a professional and personal support system.
2. Connect with Colleagues
There are health care providers who will experience social isolation in the workforce such as dentistry. Some dentists will report how isolating dentistry is because of a lack of professional support. This can be evident in smaller practices or with solo dental owner who have the added responsibility of running a business.
This feeling of solitude can further contribute to work burnout so it’s important to feel connected with others in your profession. Joining a local study club or a professional organization like the American Dental Association (ADA) and local dental chapters can help provide a professional and personal support system.
3. Diversify your Career Options
3. Diversify your Career Options
There may come a time when you need a change - whether that be from monotony, stress or lack of passion. There are many alternative career options for health professionals to use their skills outside of the clinical practice. This includes becoming an instructor at a graduate or residency program, working in clinical research and contributing to public health. Exploring continuing education courses outside of your scope of practice can also help motivate you and give a new perspective in your profession.
If you're considering working part time in your current profession you may want to look into cultivating new interests such as blogging, creative writing or stand up comedy. Dr. Khaled Hosseini a practicing physician embarked in creative writing and wrote "The Kite Runner", a best-selling book with numerous awards.
4. Invest in Yourself
It's important to make time for yourself outside of practicing. Enjoying new hobbies, spending quality family time, taking a mandatory vacation and exercising are all simple self-care tips on how to improve your quality of life. Carving out intentional down time is important to your productivity. You can’t run on coffee and sugar forever so make time for you! You deserve it.
4. Invest in Yourself
It's important to make time for yourself outside of practicing. Enjoying new hobbies, spending quality family time, taking a mandatory vacation and exercising are all simple self-care tips on how to improve your quality of life. Carving out intentional down time is important to your productivity. You can’t run on coffee and sugar forever so make time for you! You deserve it.
4. Invest in Yourself
It's important to make time for yourself outside of practicing. Enjoying new hobbies, spending quality family time, taking a mandatory vacation and exercising are all simple self-care tips on how to improve your quality of life. Carving out intentional down time is important to your productivity. You can’t run on coffee and sugar forever so make time for you! You deserve it.
5. Speak to a Professional
Therapy can be great for professional and personal goals and creating a clear perspective on what type of work-life balance you desire. Modern communication has also made it flexible and convenient to communicate with a therapist.
Speaking to a mental health professional can foster positive coping skills and stress management. Several studies show the demanding nature of healthcare professions like the dental occupation and how work-stress may have a negative effect on a dentist’s psychological well-being and family life [5].
It's important to be aware of you mental health, especially in a position of providing constant care. Remember that, "Self-care involves self-reflection and action in terms of knowing one’s needs and making a conscious effort to seek out resources that will foster health and well-being"[6].
5. Speak to a Professional
Therapy can be great for professional and personal goals and creating a clear perspective on what type of work-life balance you desire. Modern communication has also made it flexible and convenient to communicate with a therapist.
Speaking to a mental health professional can foster positive coping skills and stress management. Several studies show the demanding nature of healthcare professions like the dental occupation and how work-stress may have a negative effect on a dentist’s psychological well-being and family life [5].
It's important to be aware of you mental health, especially in a position of providing constant care. Remember that, "Self-care involves self-reflection and action in terms of knowing one’s needs and making a conscious effort to seek out resources that will foster health and well-being"[6].
5. Speak to a Professional
Therapy can be great for professional and personal goals and creating a clear perspective on what type of work-life balance you desire. Modern communication has also made it flexible and convenient to communicate with a therapist.
Speaking to a mental health professional can foster positive coping skills and stress management. Several studies show the demanding nature of healthcare professions like the dental occupation and how work-stress may have a negative effect on a dentist’s psychological well-being and family life [5].
It's important to be aware of you mental health, especially in a position of providing constant care, and to keep in mind that "Self-care involves self-reflection and action in terms of knowing one’s needs and making a conscious effort to seek out resources that will foster health and well-being"[6].
Sources:
[1] Janulyte V. Self perceived mental health and job satisfaction among Lithuanian dentists, Ind Health 2008: 46, 247-252.
[2] Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2020
[3] David P. Fessell and Daniel Goleman, How Health Care Workers Can Take Care of Themselves
[4] Weng HC. Does the physician's emotional intelligence matter? Impacts of the physician's emotional intelligence on the trust, patient-physician relationship, and satisfaction. Health Care Manage Rev. 2008 Oct-Dec;33(4):280-8. doi: 10.1097/01.HCM.0000318765.52148.b3. PMID: 18815493.
[5] Osborne D, Croucher R (1994) Levels of burnout in general dental practitioners in the south-east of England. Brit Dent J 177: 372-377.
[6] Colman DE, Echon R, Lemay MS, McDonald J, Smith KR, Spencer J, Swift JK. The efficacy of self-care for graduate students in professional psychology: A meta-analysis. Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 2016;10(4):188–197.
Note: The blog content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Sources:
[1] Janulyte V. Self perceived mental health and job satisfaction among Lithuanian dentists, Ind Health 2008: 46, 247-252.
[2] Medscape National Physician Burnout & Suicide Report 2020
[3] David P. Fessell and Daniel Goleman, How Health Care Workers Can Take Care of Themselves
[4] Weng HC. Does the physician's emotional intelligence matter? Impacts of the physician's emotional intelligence on the trust, patient-physician relationship, and satisfaction. Health Care Manage Rev. 2008 Oct-Dec;33(4):280-8. doi: 10.1097/01.HCM.0000318765.52148.b3. PMID: 18815493.
[5] Osborne D, Croucher R (1994) Levels of burnout in general dental practitioners in the south-east of England. Brit Dent J 177: 372-377.
[6] Colman DE, Echon R, Lemay MS, McDonald J, Smith KR, Spencer J, Swift JK. The efficacy of self-care for graduate students in professional psychology: A meta-analysis. Training and Education in Professional Psychology. 2016;10(4):188–197.
Note: The blog content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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