Have you ever experienced back to back days where your day off couldn’t come soon enough? The reality is that patient care is becoming more and more complex and is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. As a healthcare provider, you are required to invest so much of yourself and before you realize it, you are running on empty, feeling sick, discouraged, and unable to work effectively. You MUST have a self-care plan! If not, what is the alternative?
Whew! I have had a stretch of days where I was feeling the physical, mental, and emotional impact of patient care… the heavy lifting, deep listening, and out pouring of empathy. The sensitivity and creativity that was needed to work with and support my patients was as much rewarding as it was exhausting. During this same time, the weather didn’t make it any easier because it had been cloudy and rainy, the kind of days that make you want to stay under a warm comfy blanket or sit by a warm, toasty fireplace. The kind of days that have you reflecting on why you do what you do, reminiscing about the joys and sadness of your life experiences, the people in your life or thinking about those you miss being in your life.
These patients that I had been working with were not only dealing with the complexities of their medical condition and physical impairments, but were also considerably fearful, anxious, frustrated, and uncertain about their future and their next steps. I started to realize that the emotional energy circulating from these highly involved and sensitive interactions was also beginning to work in me… emerging feelings of sadness and sorrow from my own unresolved emotions. I could feel the drain from my efforts and interactions to support these very sick patients and concurrently support the nursing staff who were struggling to meet the needs of those same patients.
What I questioned from this short-term, intense, and complex set of patient experiences was how often do other healthcare providers feel this way? Who do they talk to, how do they decompress? For me, this snapshot of time was only a few consecutive days. What happens after months and years of dedicated and compassionate service? Compassion fatigue is real and typically develops over a period of time, although, there can be immediate and residual effects from experiences considered as vicarious trauma.
Before my first decade of service in healthcare, I came close to almost losing the ability to continue practicing what I knew and loved because of my own health challenges… then several years later, the shock from the sudden loss of my best friend and healthcare colleague further jolted my reality about my health and mortality. I had great angst initially, then had to pause and reflect on what I knew and how I was living and practicing and questioned my values, desires, and priorities.
I was thankfully able to get a grip on my life and health, gain perspective and insight through trainings and studies on mindfulness and integrative practices which taught me how to support my body and better regulate my emotions which enabled me to continue practicing. I would love to share what I have learned with you!
Where are you at this point in life? If you are in a place of feeling sick and tired, alone and detached, have lost your enthusiasm and motivation then take a moment to connect with me. I can help you to regain perspective, objectively look at your life and your health, and support you in finding clarity and sustaining your efforts for better health, passion, and well-being. I can work with you to create a self-care plan. For a limited time, I am offering you a FREE Clarity Call.
On a deeper note, if you have experiences of loss and unresolved grief as a healthcare provider that challenge your focus, sensitivity, and capacity to care for others, I would love to support you and have you join a community that supports and cares for you! Schedule your Complimentary 30 minute Clarity session.
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Dr. Deb Howell is a professional health and life coach who supports dedicated Healthcare Leaders and Front-Line professionals experiencing high levels of stress, personal detachment, or challenged with life and career transition to recharge, regain perspective, and restore personal health, passion, and well-being.
Dr. Howell offers deeply supportive and expansive services to the healthcare community as a Medical Health Advisor, educator, retreat facilitator, and medical life coach. She is a best-selling author and her latest book, Self-Care in Healthcare, is a resource that supports and guides you in taking personal responsibility to act on your health!
If you are finding that you are at a crossroads in life and need support and direction, then my coaching program and resources can help you to get back on track. Schedule your complimentary session to clarify your next steps and determine your plan of care.
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Evidence supports having a self-care plan:
Research recognizes the importance of physician wellness for quality of life and quality of care. The consequences of ongoing stress, distress, depression, or burnout can have far reaching effects on our personal lives and with patient care, ranging from a personal crisis to sub-optimal patient care practices.
Research indicates that moral distress and compassion fatigue can lead to burnout and that self-care has the potential to minimize the harm from burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress and promote personal and professional well-being.
