The harm the “resilience” narrative causes to physicians, soul-centered medicine, and a reexploration of a physician’s career calling all received a close look at the Texas Medical Association’s second Physician Health and Wellness (PHW) Exchange in late October.
The virtual Exchange event, hosted by TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness in conjunction with the Travis County Medical Society, featured presentations from wellness experts and a Think Tank discussion. Physicians and other health and wellness professionals gathered to identify best practices to improve well-being in the medical workforce and student and trainee populations.
The Think Tank discussion focused on results of a survey developed by Baylor College of Medicine leaders that addressed COVID-19’s impact on health and wellness and physician impairment issues.
Survey results showed the lack of personal protective equipment, staff shortages, and increased staff load and work hours impacted the health and well-being of physicians and other health care workers. Survey participants reported patient overload (29%) and limited wellness services (25%) as the top two factors that impacted members of the workforce.
“Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic tested an already challenged workforce,” said Marshal Isaacs, MD, an emergency physician from Dallas and facilitator of the Think Tank discussion. “Telemedicine and virtual learning became commonplace and helped fill gaps, and we hope the effects on well-being will be substantial and potentially long-lasting.”
For issues related to well-being, participants urged prevention over reaction. According to the Think Tank survey, more than one-quarter of respondents (28%) would like to see more peer support networks at their institutions, along with health and wellness facilities, such as spirituality centers or gyms.
Physicians and other participants called for the “normalization” of discussions about mental health, including seeking help. More than 20% of survey respondents requested formal surveys or assessments for burnout, suicidality, or stress among the workforce and trainees.
“The hope is our experiences with COVID-19 can lead to improved awareness and emphasis on what can support our health care workforce and trainee populations,” Dr. Isaacs said.
The inaugural PHW Exchange in 2019 served as a catalyst to form a statewide collaboration for developing solutions to improve wellness. A recent issue of Medical Education Online featured an article highlighting the 2019 exchange and the creation of a Texas collaboration to address wellness in academic medical centers.
TMA offers a variety of health and wellness resources for physicians, including CME and financial assistance for treatment of conditions that impair a physician’s ability to practice safely. Wellness CME and ethics hours are now available at no cost to TMA members, compliments of TMA Insurance Trust.
Tammy Wishard
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