OVERCOMING OBSTACLES
Strategies for Physicians to Navigate Challenges and Cultivate Resilience
As a physician who has experienced burnout firsthand , I know how overwhelming and challenging it can be to overcome obstacles in both personal and professional life .
As physicians , we are no stranger to challenges . From studying and working long hours , understanding our demanding patients , unexpected emergencies , to managing kids and household , our many “ jobs ” can be incredibly stressful . And when things don ’ t go your way and are out of your control , it can be even more difficult to manage your emotions and maintain your well-being .
While practicing self-care , using technology to your advantage , creating workflow efficiencies and setting boundaries are all a must when it comes to creating a work-life balance , I have found that managing your mind is key to overcoming burnout and feeling empowered to create a fulfilling career and life .
So how can this be done ?
1 . Practice letting go . It ’ s important to acknowledge that there are some things in life that are simply out of your control . As a physician , you cannot control the behavior of your patients , the decisions they make and how they act when things are
10 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE by LESLEY KELLIE , DO , FACP , DIPACLM
not going the way they want it to go ( like when you don ’ t give them the benzodiazepines , narcotics and sleep aids they want or an appointment that fits within their timeframe ). You cannot control insurance companies , hospitals , CMS policies , the EMR , the internet being down , not having enough staff or the course of a pandemic . By accepting this reality , you can let go of feelings of frustration and helplessness and focus your energy on the things you can control .
Things that you can control are how you choose to practice medicine . Create a “ Welcome to my practice letter ” that outlines how you practice medicine . Being transparent with what patients can expect from you as their physician creates clear expectations and sets practice boundaries from the getgo . For example , outlining what is appropriate for after office hours can help you avoid the frustration of getting calls at night from patients who want medications to help them sleep . “ It ’ s 3 in the morning !”
You can also create a written document on “ How to room my patients ” and “ How to answer frequent patient questions ” and explain them to your clinical staff . This can minimize redundant interruptions during the day and avoid more staff messages that take you another two hours to answer ( uncompensated ). Lastly , set clear expectations for yourself and stick to them . If going on EPIC at night causes burnout and is something you hate doing , simply decide not to do that unless it is an emergency ,