Responding to the immediate / life-saving needs of our patients and the public for healthcare professionals and first responders is both rewarding and challenging work. The witnessing of human suffering, life-and-death decisions, risk of personal harm, and high stress and intense workloads can begin to take toll on the health and well-being of front-line providers. These demanding and high stress roles can lead to a variety of health risks that range from musculoskeletal issues, to mental and emotional concerns that can lead to depression and burnout.
As stated in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, “There is growing agreement that the health and safety of patients is inextricably linked to the health and safety of those who care for them.”¹(p803)
The necessity of a proactive approach to stress prevention and self-care management is critical for the health, well-being and safety of all persons involved in these highly intense and demanding roles.
Introducing the Self-Care in Healthcare INITIATIVE. This initiative shares a new vision, inspires hope and possibility for a new way forward through increased self-awareness, self-discipline, and self-leadership. The initiative fosters positive change in participants attitudes, challenges participants to question traditional paradigms, and presents evidenced based support for effective methods that can be practiced and replicated by others.
In her latest book, Self-Care in Healthcare, Dr. Deborah S. Howell, physical therapist, supports this INITIATIVE and proposes that the proactive view of self-care as a priority and personal responsibility can foster quality care, improve health outcomes, and inspire meaningful service. Together, the book and initiative…
- Presents that living well involves personal commitment to self-care management.
- Proposes that early and ongoing health and lifestyle education, medical life skills and lifestyle training, health promotion, and health modeling are cost-effective solutions to address public health challenges that can result in greater attention and awareness, personal responsibility and accountability, self-efficacy and self-control, and work satisfaction and performance.
- Offers a framework with evidenced based practices and professional insights that support cultivating a healthcare culture of wellness that better aligns with our values and responsibilities as health care-giving professionals and role models.
- Highlights public health challenges that affect healthcare providers, first responders, patient care, and healthcare delivery and outcomes.
- Recognizes that a level of preparedness and readiness is required to meet the daily pressures, demands, and challenges of a rapidly growing and ever more complex healthcare system.
- Explores daily self-care behaviors and lifestyle habits that are critical elements for preventive health as well as disease management, and impacts personal health, quality of life, and healthcare costs over time.
- Loeppke et al. Interaction of health care worker health and safety and patient health and safety in the US health care system: recommendations from the 2016 summit. J Occup Environ Med. 2017;59(8):803–813.
Dr. Deborah Howell is the Founder and CEO of Victory in Action LLC, specializing in Heart-Focused Leadership and Empowerment training. She is a Medical Advisor for healthcare professionals and leaders experiencing high levels of stress, personal detachment, or challenged with life and career transition.
Dr. Howell is a Licensed Physical Therapist, Certified Health and Life Coach, #1 Best-Selling Author, and Navy Veteran. As a result of her training in the military, working for over two decades in Rehabilitative Therapy, and personal application of integrative and mindfulness practices, Dr. Howell offers a breadth of knowledge, experience, and effective, evidenced based practices through deeply supportive and expansive services to the healthcare community as a Medical Advisor. Her services help healthcare professionals and leaders recharge, renew, and restore a sense of well-being and life purpose.
Available Now for Purchase! Bulk orders are great as an educational tool and helpful to support self-care management for practitioners and patients.
