Did you know that 45% of doctors suffer from burnout every year? Lack of enough face-to-face time with the patients, long working hours, and increased patient demands often lead to physician burnout. Read on for five ways doctors can combat burnout.
1. Outsource non-core administrative tasks
Apart from providing patient care, doctors have to handle non-core administrative tasks, including billing, HR services, and data entry, to keep the healthcare facility running.
These tasks can be time-consuming and exhausting, increasing the risk of burnout. You should consider seeking Turnkey Private Practice Management services to connect patients with community resources, coordinate care, and fulfill other non-clinical activities and paperwork, to enable you to focus solely on patient care.
2. Avoid overworking
Most doctors are perfectionists and high achievers, so they always strive to provide high standard care for their patients.
However, it is often difficult to maintain a good work and life balance, as most physicians neglect their family and own needs. You should quit overworking to provide the best care for yourself and your loved ones. Take a step back and determine what tasks are urgent and what can be rescheduled. Evaluate what tasks you could delegate to a relative at home or a colleague. You could also invest in apps or calendars that make work easier and remind you to rest.
3. Set goals
Setting realistic goals is beneficial for your professional future and an effective way to reduce or avoid burnout. While setting goals can feel like additional work, especially when you are already feeling burned out, it reminds you why you are working so hard. This will help you become more motivated, engaged, and satisfied with your efforts.
When you can picture where you want your family and career to be in the next five to 10 years, the long hours and the time away from your family will no longer feel like a burden. Goal setting also helps you get through the rough patches of your clinical career so you can focus on what you want to achieve.
4. Have a support network
Many doctors fail to get support because of the stigma associated with seeking mental and emotional health, mainly due to the perceptions and expectations of health professionals, culture, and training. Eliminating this stigma is a significant step toward physical well-being and combating burnout.
Be sure to speak to someone or join a support group where you can share how you are feeling. Communicating in a safe and confidential setting can help you deal with things bothering you, rant and get anger and frustrations off your chest and even get ideas on preventing burnout.
5. Exercise and eat healthy
Be sure to dedicate at least 30 minutes of your day to physical activities. Regular exercise and eating a balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve sleep, and boost your mood, giving you the required energy to face the day’s challenges.
Endnote
Physician burnout increases medical errors and malpractice risk and reduces patient satisfaction. Consider implementing the above strategies to improve your physical, emotional, and mental well-being while avoiding burnout.
