The cumulative effect of a stressful two years is real for us, our family members, and our clients and colleagues. It’s safe to assume that most everyone we work with, as well as those we serve, are carrying some amount of weight on their shoulders that impacts their daily interpersonal interactions. You may find that…
Optimism is the best mental attitude, right? While it may seem obvious, when things go downhill, die-hard, “What, me worry?” optimists may discover they harbor a hidden Achilles’ heel. Blind faith optimism is a fragile mental bubble in a world teeming with sharp experiential edges, leaving one ill-prepared to handle life’s tough challenges. Granted, in…
Prior to the pandemic, the AMA determined the lifetime prevalence of self-reported depression among physicians approximated the general population at 13% of males and 20% of females. Since the pandemic, several studies, including in Frontiers in Psychiatry, found significantly increased rates of depression (73%) among critical care physicians. According to the NIH, pre-pandemic, physicians experienced…
According to the CDC, mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in America, and physicians are not immune. Still, doctors are more reticent to seek mental health care than the general population, in part due to concerns over confidentiality, licensure, job security, and professional image. Some physicians may be more comfortable sharing their…
A 2021 Medscape survey found 70% of physicians feel burned out, with 10% considering leaving the profession altogether. This inquiry predated the Omicron surge, which has likely worsened burnout and compassion fatigue. These findings emphasize the need for self-care approaches that are evidence-based and doable despite a lack of free time and energy reserves among…
Compassion fatigue occurs when someone takes on so much of the stress and suffering of those around them that they become exhausted. While it is common to people in helping professions, it may occur to anyone who is in a caregiving or emotionally supportive role. Signs of compassion fatigue include: Isolating from others Physical problems…
A manager is often the first person in the workplace to be notified when a team member loses a loved one, has been diagnosed with a major illness, or is injured in an accident. Human Resources staff often speak with employees early on in these sorts of personal crises as well. Conversations of this nature…
We are living through turbulent times, and political and ideological divisions have intensified in ways that sometimes make civil discourse difficult. Differing views about politics, the best way to handle COVID-19, and racial tensions may drive a wedge between colleagues. Many organizations are grappling with how to keep societal conflicts from poisoning the workplace environment.…
After more than a year of remote or hybrid work, the boundaries have thinned between many employees’ professional and personal lives. Harassment that might have been contained to the workplace may more easily spill into the employee’s downtime or private life. Whether it happens in person or online, workplace harassment should be addressed immediately. If…
Is your team moving from fully remote work to a hybrid model? Having some employees still working from home, while others are back in the office, is becoming a common way of managing the ongoing impact of the pandemic on work, school, and child and elder care. In addition, some organizations have broadened their hiring…