BOSS Business of Surgery Series Amy Vertrees, MD

Summary

The latest BOSS podcast features Dr. Diana Londono, a urologist who has experienced burnout twice. We talked about burnout in the high achiever, and how these symptoms can look differently than it does in other people. Dr. Londono shares her personal experiences with burnout, highlighting the physical and emotional manifestations she encountered, such as weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, asthma, chest pain, and joint pain. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout symptoms, which can vary from person to person, and seeking support through resources like coaching, therapy, or support groups. Self-love, gratitude, and finding purpose are critical in combating burnout. Dr. Londonio discusses the Physician Coach Support Program she created, which offers free and confidential coaching sessions for physicians. We also talked about the Physician Support Line and Physician Anonymous. The key takeaway is that burnout is a complex issue, especially in the high acheiver that requires a multifaceted approach, including self-care, mindset shifts, and seeking support from others.Link to the episode in comments.

Chapters

Introduction and Background

The podcast host introduces Dr. Diana Londonio, a urologist who has experienced burnout twice. They discuss the rarity of female urologists, especially Latinas, and Dr. Londonio's work in creating education and support programs for physicians.

Recognizing Burnout Symptoms

Dr. Londonio shares her personal experiences with burnout, highlighting the physical and emotional symptoms she encountered, such as weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, asthma, chest pain, and joint pain. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout symptoms, which can manifest differently in different individuals, and seeking support.

The Role of Self-Love and Gratitude

Dr. Londonio discusses the importance of self-love, gratitude, and finding purpose in combating burnout. She emphasizes the power of words and the need to speak to oneself with love and kindness. She also highlights the significance of prioritizing self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and sleep.

Seeking Support and Resources

The conversation explores various resources available for physicians struggling with burnout, including coaching, therapy, and support groups. Dr. Londonio discusses the Physician Coach Support Program she created, which offers free and confidential coaching sessions for physicians. Other resources mentioned include the Physician Support Line and Physician Anonymous.

Finding Purpose and Remembering Why

Dr. Londonio emphasizes the importance of remembering the purpose and reasons behind choosing a career in medicine. She suggests that reconnecting with the initial motivations and finding joy in serving others can help combat burnout and restore a sense of fulfillment.

Action Items


Recognize and acknowledge burnout symptoms, which can manifest differently in different individuals, such as dread, cynicism, anger, loss of hope, or physical symptoms like weight loss, insomnia, or joint pain.
Practice self-love and self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and prioritizing sleep.
Seek support through resources like coaching, therapy, or support groups, such as the Physician Coach Support Program, Physician Support Line, or Physician Anonymous.
Cultivate gratitude and find purpose in serving others, remembering the initial motivations for choosing a career in medicine.
Learn to set boundaries and say 'no' when necessary to avoid overcommitment and overwhelm.
Explore forgiveness, both for oneself and others, as a means of healing and letting go of emotional burdens.

Do you know all that the American College of Surgeons membership has to offer?The latest BOSS podcast features Dr. Michael Sutherland, the Director of Membership Services of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). He talks about all that the ACS has to offer. 

The ACS is the largest surgical organization in the world, representing over 92,000 members across 13 surgical specialties. Its mission is to safeguard the standards of surgical practice and elevate the quality of care through various programs, registries, and data-driven initiatives.

ACS membership includes access to discounted insurance programs, practice management resources, coding and reimbursement support, and personal financial management services. The ACS also plays a crucial role in advocacy and health policy, engaging with government agencies and insurance companies to shape policies that impact surgical practice.

Key recommendations are:

1. Explore the ACS website (facs.org) and update your member dashboard to ensure your profile information is accurate and tailored to your surgical specialty and interests. 2. Bookmark and utilize the Surgical Risk Health Calculator available on the ACS website to facilitate informed discussions with patients about potential surgical outcomes based on real data. 3. Attend the annual Clinical Congress event to access cutting-edge education, vendor exhibits, surgical simulations, and networking opportunities with peers from around the world. 4. Investigate the various ACS podcasts, including 'House of Surgery,' 'Surgical Readings from SRGS,' and 'The Operative Word,' to stay updated on surgical topics and research. 5. Reach out to the ACS Member Services team (ms@facs.org) for assistance in finding resources or exploring opportunities to get involved with the organization. 6. Encourage medical students, residents, and younger surgeons to join the ACS and take advantage of the free membership during residency to experience the value proposition and resources available.

Summary

What happens if life gets in the way and you want to take a break from surgery. Dr. Zakhireh shares her experience of taking a clinical gap from her surgical practice for several years to care for her three young daughters, and her subsequent journey to re-enter her practice.

There were challenges and doubts she faced from her peers. She felt isolated, but also determined to make it work. Her determination helped her to return to her passion despite the lack of a clear pathway. She shares the strategies she employed, such as maintaining her medical knowledge, collaborating with an open-minded credentialing committee, and designing an individualized re-entry plan. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, relying on her core values, and having a supportive village during the process. Her experience highlights the need for more open-mindedness and empowerment within the surgical community to accommodate life events and prevent the loss of talented surgeons.

Suggestions if you want to take a gap from operating:1. Maintain non-clinical obligations and medical knowledge during a clinical gap to ensure readiness for re-entry. 2. Collaborate with hospital credentialing committees and design an individualized re-entry plan that can be modified based on progress. 3. Work closely with mentors and colleagues to proctor cases and assess competency during the re-entry process. 4. Monitor outcomes, complication rates, and return to surgery rates, and remain open to peer assessment and feedback. 5. Speak kindly to oneself and trust one's judgment during the re-entry process, while also being open to seeking help when needed. 6. Explore all options, such as part-time work or reduced hours, before taking a significant clinical gap, if possible. 7. Rely on core values, life mission, and a supportive village to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of a clinical gap and re-entry.

If you had a strategy that would make it more likely to achieve your dreams, would you look more into it?

Fatigue is killing our dreams. 

If we are not taking breaks and recharging, it's difficult to tap into the creative energy we have. The appreciation for our job and for our life. We have common thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to overworking, like the fear of being perceived as lazy or not doing enough.

Prioritize self-care, create boundaries, and take growth days to prevent burnout are essential key strategies for helping us achieve our dreams. Without rest, we may fall into worsening depression (sometimes difficult to identify in the high achiever) and imposter syndrome. We must value our well-being and make time for rest and rejuvenation to sustain our careers and achieve our greatest aspirations.