Are you a physician struggling with burnout and in need of a solution? In a recent  episode of The Revitalizing Doctor, we explore with our guest, Dr. River, how to reduce the risks of physician burnout. She is an emergency medicine physician, board certified in lifestyle medicine, and the previous owner and medical director of a private cannabis medicine clinic. Drawing on her experience, she has developed a multifaceted career that has allowed her to connect more with her values and move beyond burnout. 

The Revitalizing Doctor Podcast is a project of Revitalize Women Physician Circle, where we explore with our guests how to move from surviving to thriving. This week’s blog is a summary inspired by Dr. River’s episode on The Revitalizing Doctor.

About Dr. Amanda River

Dr. River is an emergency medicine physician who is currently credentialing to work at a critical care access hospital in rural Iowa, and she is also board certified in lifestyle medicine. Dr. River is a unique guest who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and a story that many of us can relate to. She is a living example of how it is possible to reclaim different parts of our lives and challenge the limiting beliefs that have been placed on physicians. Join us as we explore this journey with Dr. River!

Why is it important to understand the potential risks of physician burnout?

Physician burnout is a significant issue that can have profound effects on the mental and physical health of physicians, their patients, and healthcare organizations as a whole. It is therefore essential that physicians understand the potential risks associated with burnout in order to prevent or reduce its occurrence. Physician burnout is often linked to a number of factors, including job dissatisfaction, heavy caseloads, excessive paperwork, and lack of autonomy. These factors can lead to feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm, as well as a feeling of detachment from the work they do and their patients. If left unchecked, physician burnout can have serious consequences, such as an increased risk of medical errors, decreased job satisfaction and productivity, and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Understanding the potential risks of physician burnout is critical in order to create strategies and interventions to reduce its incidence and severity.

Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Connect with your values and authenticity
2. Connect with yourself, close family and friends
3. Challenge limiting beliefs
4. Align the interests of patients and physicians to ensure better care
5. Encourage conversations between patients and physicians

1. Connect with your values and authenticity.
Connecting with values and authenticity is an essential part of transitioning from surviving to thriving. Values are the beliefs that drive our decisions and actions, and authenticity is being true to ourselves and our values. In order to connect with our values and authenticity, we must first understand what they are. This can be done by reflecting on our past experiences, our passions, and our core values. We can also look to our relationships and how we interact with family, friends, and colleagues to gain insights into our values. Once we have identified our values and authenticity, we need to take action to align our decisions and actions with them. This could include setting boundaries, making time for self-care, or making decisions that are in line with our values. Connecting with our values and authenticity will help us to live a life that is fulfilling and drives the necessary transformation in healthcare.

When we connect with our values and authenticity, we can make decisions that are in line with our own needs and beliefs. This is especially important in healthcare, as it can help us to make decisions that are in the best interests of our patients. Connecting with our values and authenticity can also help us to be more confident in our decisions, as we will have the assurance that we are adhering to our own beliefs and values. Additionally, connecting with our values and authenticity can help us to be more open to new ideas and perspectives, as we can be more open to views that differ from our own. Finally, connecting with our values and authenticity can help us to be more self-aware and mindful of our own needs and experiences. This is important in healthcare, as it allows us to provide better care to our patients by understanding their needs and experiences. Connecting with our values and authenticity is an essential step in transitioning from surviving to thriving in healthcare, and can ultimately help us to provide better care for our patients.

2. Connect with yourself, close family and friends.
The next step in moving from surviving to thriving is to learn how to be there for yourself and others. This step is essential in order to maintain a healthy balance of physical and emotional wellbeing and to ensure that our relationships are meaningful and strong. It is important to remember that in order to be there for others, we must first be there for ourselves. In order to be there for ourselves, we must first recognize our needs and acknowledge our feelings. This can be done through regular self-reflection and self-care, such as making time for relaxation, exercise, and other activities that nourish our bodies and minds. Additionally, it is important to practice mindfulness and to remain aware of our thoughts and feelings, as well as the thoughts and feelings of those around us. It is also important to learn how to be there for others. This could include actively listening to what they have to say, offering support, and showing compassion and understanding. It is also important to recognize that we all have different needs and to ensure that those needs are being met. Regular communication is necessary in order to maintain strong relationships and ensure that everyone is feeling heard and supported.

It is also essential to remember that being there for yourself and others is a two-way street. We must be willing to receive support and assistance from others in order to maintain healthy relationships. This could include asking a friend for help with a project or seeking professional assistance if needed. Additionally, it is important to remember that we are all responsible for our own wellbeing and that we all have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and our relationships. Finally, it is important to remember that learning how to be there for ourselves and others is a continuous process. We must be willing to reflect on our relationships and our own wellbeing, as well as to be open to learning new ways of being supportive. This is an ongoing journey that requires patience and commitment, but it is worth the effort in order to cultivate strong, meaningful relationships.

3. Challenge limiting beliefs.
Challenging limiting beliefs is an important step in the process of revitalization. It is a way to understand how we can move beyond a system that doesn't serve us or our patients. In order to challenge limiting beliefs, it is important to examine them in order to determine how they might be holding us back. The first step is to identify the limiting beliefs and the sources of them. This can be done by looking at our experiences in medical school and residency, as well as our interactions with patients and other healthcare professionals. Once these limiting beliefs are identified, it is important to challenge them. This can be done by looking at the facts and questioning our assumptions. We can also look for alternative solutions and ideas that could help us create a healthier and more balanced system. Finally, it is important to create an action plan to move forward and create positive change. This could involve working with other healthcare professionals and patients to create a system that is more beneficial to everyone.

Once a plan of action has been created, it is time to put it into action. This can be done by creating a timeline of when each step should be completed and who will be responsible for each task. It is also important to set specific goals and objectives that are measurable so that progress can be tracked. This will help ensure that the process of revitalization is successful. Additionally, it is important to stay motivated throughout the process. This can be done by celebrating small victories, such as completing a step or achieving a goal. Keeping track of the progress made and setting new goals can help keep motivation high. Finally, it is important to create a support system of people who can provide advice, guidance, and encouragement when needed. A team of healthcare professionals and patients who are working towards the same goal can greatly increase the chances of success for the revitalization process. By following these steps, it is possible to challenge limiting beliefs and create a healthier and more balanced healthcare system. This process can be difficult, but the end result will be worth the effort. With a little dedication and the right support system in place, the revitalization process can be successful and create a system that serves everyone in the best possible way.

4. Align the interests of patients and physicians to ensure better care.
 Physicians need to become aware of the disconnect between the medical system and patients and work to bridge the gap. This involves being transparent about the inner workings of the healthcare system and encouraging patients to ask questions about the care they are receiving.

Align with patients and physicians to ensure better care also involves creating more win-wins. This means providing personalized care and treatment plans to each patient, tailored to their individual needs. Physicians should strive to create a partnership with their patients, where both parties share responsibility for the patient's health. Physicians should strive to create a team-based approach to healthcare, where the patient is at the center of the team and the physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals are all working together to provide the best possible care. Overall, creating better alignment between patients and physicians can lead to better care for all. Physicians should strive to create an open and honest dialogue with their patients, where both parties can work together to create a plan for the patient’s healthcare. In turn, this can lead to improved outcomes for all patients, and a better healthcare system for all.

5. Encourage conversations between patients and physicians.
Encouraging conversations between patients and physicians is an important step to creating a better medical system. There are several ways to promote these conversations, such as providing resources and support to help increase the patient's influence and achieve their goals. During the podcast, Dr. River discussed the importance of creating a better healthcare system that is more balanced and takes into account the well-being of the physician. We should be encouraging patients to ask questions about their care. This kind of dialogue can help to create better understanding and trust between the patient and the physician. Furthermore, we should be teaching medical students and residents about the importance of taking care of their own needs. This can help to create a better balance between providing care for others and taking care of one's self. We should also be encouraging physicians to speak up about their struggles and the realities of the medical system so that patients can be better informed about the challenges of the profession. Ultimately, these conversations can help to create a better healthcare system where both physicians and patients can thrive.

It is important for physicians to remember that patients are more than just a diagnosis. It is essential to establish a relationship of trust and mutual respect between the patient and the physician. This can be achieved through open and honest dialogue between the two parties and having a genuine interest in the patient’s health and well-being. Physicians should be willing to answer any questions or concerns that the patient may have and provide resources to help them better understand their situation. Furthermore, physicians should be conscious of their own preconceptions and biases and make sure to approach each patient with an open mind. Finally, we should also be encouraging physicians to not only be patient advocates, but to be patient partners. They should be engaging in meaningful conversations with their patients and making sure to provide the best care possible. This can help to create a more equitable healthcare system that is centered around the needs of the patient and their own health outcomes. Ultimately, conversations between physicians and patients are essential to creating a better medical system and improving overall healthcare outcomes.

Physician burnout is a significant issue that can have serious consequences, both for physicians and their patients. In this blog post, we explored the potential risks associated with burnout and discussed strategies to reduce its incidence and severity. We discussed connecting with values and authenticity, challenging limiting beliefs, reducing extraneous tasks, engaging in self-care, and encouraging conversations between patients and physicians. By taking these steps, physicians can move from surviving to thriving and create a better healthcare system for everyone. It may seem daunting, but if Dr. River can do it, so can you! With dedication and hard work, you can make a difference in your own life and the lives of those around you.

We’d love to hear how you're aligning your values to create more win-wins for patients and doctors. Leave us a comment on how it went for you or drop any questions you want us to answer!

You can listen to Dr. River’s Full Episode on The Revitalizing Doctor Podcast today!

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