Back to the Basics: Written Prescriptions for Wellness on the Wards-Slides

Slides

Pdf Summary

The presentation "Back to the Basics: Written Prescriptions for Wellness on the Wards" by Dr. Desiree Burroughs-Ray addresses physician burnout and strategies to foster wellness within medical training and practice. Burnout, defined as a breakdown in the relationship between people and their work, is notably prevalent among medical trainees, peaking during residency and fellowship stages with rates over 60%. This high burnout leads to significant personal and institutional costs.<br /><br />Wellness is characterized as a state of personal fulfillment and engagement that reconnects physicians to the core reasons for entering healthcare, helping to mitigate burnout. The Job-Demand Control Model is introduced, highlighting how high job demands coupled with low control increase burnout risk, while resources like mentorship, feedback, and supportive leadership enhance wellness.<br /><br />The presentation emphasizes the critical role of wellness-centered leadership, where leaders prioritize self-care and model behaviors that value well-being. Key leadership practices include recognizing individual contributions, cultivating respectful relationships, inspiring positive change, and promoting psychological safety on wards.<br /><br />Wellness tools presented include mindfulness techniques—focusing attention intentionally and nonjudgmentally to reduce cognitive overload and improve presence—and self-care strategies such as taking intentional time off and separating work from home life. Communication skills for leaders emphasize conflict resolution, empathetic feedback, and structured debriefing to support team members after challenging experiences.<br /><br />Resilience, defined as the ability to adapt positively to adversity, is highlighted as a malleable skill that can be cultivated through relationships, acceptance of change, realistic goals, self-care, and self-discovery. Practical strategies tailored for hospitalists encourage hobbies, SMART goals, and fostering connections.<br /><br />A novel "Note Card Method" creates a feedback culture by having learners set educational and wellness goals at the start of a rotation, with ongoing check-ins and personalized feedback. This method promotes accountability and wellness simultaneously.<br /><br />In summary, the presentation outlines a comprehensive approach combining leadership, mindfulness, communication, resilience, and structured interventions to combat physician burnout and promote wellness in medical settings.

Keywords

Physician burnout

Wellness in medical training

Job-Demand Control Model

Wellness-centered leadership

Mindfulness techniques

Self-care strategies

Communication skills in healthcare

Resilience building

Note Card Method

Medical education wellness