This one really hit home with me.
How was it that so many programs and activities aimed at improving healthcare provider 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 Angels of Hippocrates philosophy is that while meditation, exercise, etc., can be part of an overall personal wellness program, you can't address burnout without wellness programs at work.
"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, nurses, medics, and therapists have much more power than we think - and sometimes little changes have big benefits. Part of nurse and physician wellness is wellness programs at work on the workplace that leads to burnout.
"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. This will reduce misdirected energy that leads to burnout.
"And let's not forget fun!"
There are many types of nurse and physician 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).
