| Burnout: Are You at Risk? |
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Still, it might be useful to try this quick and dirty gauge, suggested by Lidia Schapira, an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who works with physicians dealing with burnout. "Simply take a vacation," she says. "If your symptoms disappear while you're away, it's unlikely you have clinical depression—your symptoms are probably job-related." Is one-on-one coaching the answer for you? As executive director of the Center for Professional and Personal Renewal in Palo Alto, CA, certified coach and radiologist Peter S. Moskowitz has doctors who are applying for one-on-one coaching fill out a 15-page questionnaire covering all aspects of their lives, including educational background, reasons for choosing medicine, current practice arrangement, lifestyle, relationships, and goals. "The questionnaire gives me holistic insight into a doctor's problems and his coping skills. Armed with this information, I can formulate a plan of action," he says. "We don't tell physicians what to do. We just help them outline goals, then hold them accountable for succeeding." If Moskowitz suspects underlying depression or
anxiety—especially if there's suicidal ideation—he refers
that doctor to a psychiatrist for stabilization with short-term
psychotherapy or psychopharmacology. In most cases, Moskowitz recommends coaching twice a month. "There's no quick fix for burnout, and recovery is difficult without professional help," he says. "It could take weeks or months, depending on the situation. But the earlier you catch it, the better the success rate." Of all the doctors Moskowitz has coached, he says he's most proud of his success with "Dr. X." His story may hold some insights for you: Dr. X was ready to quit medicine when he applied to the Center for Professional and Personal Renewal several years ago. Early on, he revealed that medicine hadn't been his original career choice. He'd desperately wanted to work in the media, but his father wouldn't pay for college unless he went into medicine. "That revelation opened a door for me: His father had blackmailed him," remembers Moskowitz. That fact was especially interesting because his father had recently died, nullifying his "contract," and permitting Dr. X to question his career choice. But Dr. X was well into his 40s and thought it was too late to start over. "Medicine is all I know," he protested when Moskowitz questioned that logic, but the questions started a process. Today Dr. X works in TV and radio as a healthcare commentator. He still practices part-time, and now he loves it. "He's a happy guy today because he's finally doing what he always wanted to do," says Moskowitz. "Many doctors enter the profession to fulfill someone else's dream. Often they can be successful for a while because of their strong work ethic, but sooner or later they hit a brick wall. They have a crisis of authenticity, and that's a formula for burnout." Wellness workshops or group seminars may suit The Center for Professional and Personal Renewal and other organizations offer interactive wellness workshops and group seminars in addition to personal coaching. Some programs, including those offered by the Texas Medical Association and the Institute for the Study of Health and Illness at Commonweal, carry CME credits. Group sessions work on life balance and look at strategies for coping. For example, burnout counselor Karen Childress from Scottsdale, AZ, presented this suggestion at a recent workshop: Take a risk. Although taking a simple break can cure some burnout, Childress suggested getting a bit more radical. Some examples: Conventional idea: Organize your desk. Conventional idea: Cut back on work hours. Conventional idea: Start an exercise program. Conventional idea: Read a good novel. Conventional idea: Take a vacation. "Shaking things up could be your ticket out of burnout," Childress
says. "It could turn out to be the most responsible thing you'll ever
do." By: Dorothy L. Pennachio
Physician burnout resources Center for Professional and Personal Renewal Center for Professional Well-Being Karen Childress Institute for the Study of Health and Illness at Commonweal The Menninger Clinic's Professionals in Crisis Program RENEW The Vickman Group Work Life Design
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