Addressing Professional stress among Doctors is a crucial issue : Dr Sharda Jain

1. Addressing
Professional stress
among
Doctors
is a crucial issue
Dr Sharda Jain

2. Long Working Hours
Emphasize the
demanding and often
irregular work hours
that doctors are
subjected to, leading
to fatigue and stress.

3.  Fatigue: Prolonged shifts can lead to physical and mental exhaustion,
impairing a doctor's ability to make crucial decisions and provide quality
care to patients.
 Quality of Care: Studies have been done which show “Extended hours
may compromise the quality of care provided to patients, potentially
leading to errors or oversights.”
 So in USA Doctors are not allowed to go on & on with work.

4.  Work-Life Balance: Relatively late Doctors are on their own .
 Plus lot of loans they must have taken + monthy EMI put pressure on Doctors
to generate mony
 Thus Long hours is inevitable make it challenging for doctors to maintain a
healthy work-life balance, which can contribute to burnout and strained
personal relationships & Home life.
 Health Risks: Excessive working hours can lead to health problems, including
sleep disorders, depression, and cardiovascular issues.

5. High Responsibility
Profession of doctors
bear the responsibility
for patients' lives and
well-being, which can
lead to extreme stress.

6. Lack of Work-Life Balance
Highlight the
challenge of
balancing
professional demands
with personal life,
leading to stress and
burnout.

7. Emotional Burden
The emotional toll on
doctors face when
dealing with patients'
suffering and loss.

8. Administrative Burden
In Private practice
the increasing
administrative tasks
that take time away
from patient care and
add to stress.
Extra employee =
extra cost

9. Lack of Support Staff
There isthe shortage of
support staff specially in
private sector , making it
difficult for doctors to
focus solely on patient
care.

10. Financial Pressures
We should not forget
the high costs of
medical education
and Indeminity
insurance, which can
lead to financial
stress.

11. Patient Expectations
patient expectations can
be unrealistic &
touching the roof,
contributing to stress
and frustration.

12. Medico-Legal Issues
The fear of litigation
and its
MALPRACTICE
Litigations impact on
doctors' stress levels.

13. Continuous Learning
We Emphasize the need
for continuous learning to
keep up with medical
advancements, which can
be overwhelming.

14. Interpersonal Conflicts
In work place - conflicts
and issues with
colleagues, nurses, and
other healthcare
professionals take away
extra time & stress.

15. Workplace Violence
These days news in
papers /TV
Highlight the
increasing incidents
of violence against
doctors in healthcare
settings.

16. Mental Health Stigma
All said & done the stigma
around seeking mental health
support in the medical
community is there & this
hinders in seeking help.

17. Coping Mechanisms
Encourage doctors to develop
healthy coping mechanisms to
manage stress and frustration
which we are taught in 4 walls
of Medical college.

18.  Healthy Outlets: Encourage doctors to find healthy outlets for
stress, such as engaging in hobbies, exercise, mindfulness, or
creative pursuits. These activities can help them relax and
recharge.
 Peer Support: Promote the importance of seeking support
from colleagues and friends. Discuss the benefits of sharing
experiences and challenges with peers who understand the
unique stressors doctors face.

19.  Professional Help: Reduce the stigma around seeking
professional help, such as counseling or therapy, for managing
stress. Highlight that it's a sign of strength to seek assistance
when needed.
 Time Management: Offer guidance on effective time
management and prioritization. Doctors can benefit from
strategies that help them balance their responsibilities, reduce
work-related stress, and prevent burnout.

20. Peer Support
Promote peer support and
mentorship programs for
doctors to share their
experiences via webinar or
dedicated physical meetings.

21. Mindfulness and Self-Care
Discuss the
importance of self-
care and mindfulness
in reducing stress and
burnout.

22. Improving Communication Skills
Highlight the significance of
effective communication in
reducing misunderstandings
and conflicts.
80% litigation are due to
poor communication
between doctor & patient.

23.  Active Listening: Encourage doctors to practice active listening when
interacting with patients, their families, and colleagues. This skill helps
ensure that everyone's concerns and needs are understood and
addressed.
 Empathy: Highlight the importance of empathy in healthcare
communication. Doctors should strive to understand and relate to their
patients' emotions and concerns, which can enhance trust and reduce
patient stress.

24.  Clear and Jargon-Free Language: Stress the need for doctors to use
clear, jargon-free language when communicating with patients. This
helps ensure that patients fully comprehend their diagnoses and
treatment plans.
 Conflict Resolution: Provide guidance on resolving conflicts with
colleagues in a constructive manner. Effective conflict resolution can
reduce workplace tension and enhance teamwork.

25. Teamwork
Stress the importance of
collaborative teamwork in
healthcare to share the
burden and support each
other.
JOIN IMA
LOCAL SPECIALITY
GROUPS

26. Resilience Training
Discuss the benefits of
resilience training
programs for doctors to
build mental strength.

27. Advocacy for Change
Encourage doctors to get
involved in advocating for
healthcare system
improvements and policy
changes that can reduce
stress.
Again doctor unity can
work with authorities .