As we approach the holidays, here are 10 ideas from AAFP 2012 Scientific Assembly (and some of our interventions here at LLU Family Medicine Residency) to help us avoid burnout:
- Pause before reacting to something that bothers you and think about how you could best respond to the situation (Ask us about TEAMSTEPPS and other communication tools we are implementing in our clinic!)
- Form meaningful connections at your job with colleagues and staff.
- Plan personal and family time and place it on your patient care schedule to help maintain a good work-life balance (Ask about whole person care and how we take care of each other).
- Learn to say “no” once in a while to requests for your time.
- Focus on what is working in your life rather than fixating on what’s not working.
- Laugh with your staff and patients (You will hear laughter in the residency clinic halls all the time!).
- Spend time doing things you’re passionate about outside medicine, such as creative writing, photography or playing an instrument (Ask the residents about what they are doing outside of residency — such as salsa dancing!).
- Volunteer with an organization that care for those who are less fortunate (Ask about our Street Medicine Outreach Program).
- Stop feeling responsible for patients’ chronic health outcomes. Instead, view yourself as a coach who helps patients improve their health.
- Ask staff to pick up some of your administrative work so you can spend more time with patients (Ask us about the Kaizen process and how we are load-leveling).