This one really hit home with me.
How was it that so many programs and activities aimed at improving physician wellness were becoming sources of burnout themselves?
So we talked a little more.
"It's not your fault."
My colleague explained, "When I'm faced with chronic staffing shortages that result in long wait times or forced to eat at my desk in between signing EKG's, it's demoralizing to hear that if I just meditated or ate better that would fix my burnout."
"You can't meditate your way out of a bad job."
A core tenet of the Happy Doc philosophy is that while meditation, exercise, etc., can be part of an overall personal wellness program, they can't substitute for addressing systemic issues.
"Grant me the courage to change the things I can..."
Our curriculum focuses on systemic change as well as personal wellness. We know you're probably not in a position to change the EHR, but we physicians have much more power than we think - and sometimes little changes have big benefits.
"And the wisdom to know the difference."
There are limits to what any of us can do. But sometimes separating out what we CAN do gives us a feeling of empowerment, and makes the difficult things a bit more bearable.
"And let's not forget fun!"
There are many types of wellness programs. What makes us different are two things: 1) Nothing is required - AT ALL. 2) We want you to have fun, too! (Though we promise even that is not a requirement).
