Doctors have many tests and measurements at their disposal to help their patients track their physical and mental health. You probably use some of these metrics to keep tabs on your own health as well.
But when was the last time you took stock of how you're feeling about your life and career?
The Mayo Clinic's Well-Being Index is a series of questions that health care professionals can use to assess themselves in "6 Dimensions of Distress and Well-Being." Let’s explore these six dimensions and how each could be affecting your Return on Life.
1. Meaning In Work
According to the Mayo Clinic's data, only 30% of U.S. workers feel strongly engaged in the work they're doing and the companies they're working for. While no one loves everything about their job all the time, this sense of detachment can be especially challenging for doctors due to the high physical and emotional demands they face every day.
Sometimes, finding more meaning in work requires a mental reset. As you're writing up your notes at the end of the day, take a moment to appreciate the challenges you overcame, the ways you put your hard-earned skills to good use, and how you might have changed someone's life for the better. Rearranging your schedule to spend more time on work that you find the most fulfilling or exploring ways to collaborate with colleagues might also reconnect you to what made you want to practice medicine in the first place.
2. Likelihood of Burnout
Burnout in the medical field is at an all-time high. Doctors who have tried to keep their noses to the grindstone can't afford to ignore telltale signs like physical exhaustion, difficulty focusing, and severe mood swings. As hard as it might be, leave work and work and use your time off to explore other interests and hobbies. You might also consider volunteering or teaching so that you can use your skills in less stressful situations.
3. Severe Fatigue
Doctors who are experiencing exhaustion have to remember that they're more likely to create a health care problem at work than they are to solve any. Revamping your sleep schedule, exercise routine, and eating habits can help you manage your energy more effectively throughout the day. You could also work with your superiors, colleagues, and administrators to create more consistent work schedules and hire necessary support staff to limit some of those middle-of-the-night emergency calls.
4. Work-Life Integration
The idea of work-life "balance" often doesn't apply to doctors. Your personal and professional goals, needs, and responsibilities are in constant flux. Trying to balance them will only lead to frustration. But if you and your employer use values, skills, interests, and passions to guide workplace culture, you can move toward a more holistic approach to finding meaning and fulfillment in everything you do in and out of the office.
5. Quality of Life
Because doctors are regularly exposed to high-stress environments, they are susceptible to high-levels of mental distress. According to some studies, these feelings can start as early as medical school as students struggle to adjust to the demands of their profession. The Mayo Clinic has tested group exercise and wellness coaching programs that have helped medical professionals improve how they feel about their quality of life. These programs can also help doctors get in touch with their feelings and break down stigmas about seeking help before more serious problems develop.
6. Suicidal Ideation
According to a study referenced by the Mayo Clinic, more than 400 physicians take their lives every year. It's likely that depression, burnout, and other mental health issues factor heavily into these deaths. Revisiting the Well-Being Index and other assessments throughout the year can help doctors stay on guard for signs of distress in themselves and their colleagues. Early intervention can help to prevent these deaths and put doctors back on the road to feeling better about their lives and work.
Our suite of Life-Centered Planning tools can also help you assess how you’re feeling about a wide variety of issues, including your career and finances. Let’s meet to discuss ways that you can invest more of your resources in what matters the most.
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