Hi there!

This is "high on health," your go-to place on the internet for insights and reflections on topics related to health and wellness.

This week, I spent most of my time in Berlin, where I experienced the typical weather patterns of April in Germany. It was cold in the mornings, with temperatures around 0°C (32°F), but it warmed up to around 20°C (68°F) on the weekend. Despite the unpredictable weather, I always enjoy this time of year when nature comes back to life. It's incredible how something once brown and seemingly lifeless can turn green and vibrant within a week.

For two days this week, I participated in evaluation panels for our team members. Honestly, this may be the most important but also the most energy-consuming part of my job. During these meetings, we discuss performance ratings and career progression and sometimes make tough decisions. Preparing for and conducting these meetings takes a lot of energy, but it's a necessary part of the job.

In general, people want to do their best and perform well. I am lucky to work with some of the brightest, most driven, and most committed individuals. However, evaluating and ranking individuals can be stressful and can lead to anxiety, burnout, and psychological safety issues. I have experienced this myself, and I believe it's normal¹ . Having coping mechanisms for feedback and outcomes is essential, but what happens if you don't have them? The feedback or rating outcome can push you over the edge.

As a former surgeon, I can attest that burnout is also a real issue for doctors. I recently read the Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2024 and would like to share some insights. Let's identify some commonalities and insights that can help in both the medical and business worlds.

Take care!

¹ I want to make it clear that I occasionally feel stressed when receiving feedback, whether it is positive or negative. This applies to both upward and downward feedback. While I know that feedback is not meant to be taken personally, a part of me still feels that it is a personal reflection of my job performance. I admit that I don't always respond to feedback objectively because I am only human, and sometimes feedback can be hurtful. However, looking back, I have never received any feedback that was intended to be harmful or malicious. Even if I didn't fully agree with the input at the time, it always helped me improve in the long run.

Navigating Physician Burnout and Depression: A Closer Look

The State of Physician Burnout

A recent survey conducted by Medscape between July and October 2023 interviewed 9,226 physicians across 29 specialties regarding physician burnout. The findings reveal that 49% of physicians feel burned out, with female physicians reporting higher rates (56%) than male physicians (44%). Although there has been a slight decrease in overall burnout rates from previous years, the severity and duration of burnout remain alarming. 42% of physicians experience burnout for over two years, and 15% consider resigning due to severe burnout.

These statistics are alarming: half of the doctors you see in the hospital are experiencing burnout for a prolonged period. In my opinion, rates of burnout among female doctors are higher, possibly due to their inclination towards honesty and openness.

Specialties and Symptoms

The survey shows that emergency medicine physicians report the highest burnout rates at 63%, with other high-stress specialties like OB/GYN and oncology not far behind. This burnout significantly impacted their professional and personal lives, increasing absenteeism and decreasing patient care quality.

I worked as a maxillofacial reconstructive surgeon, essentially a plastic surgeon of the face. I am fortunate to have enjoyed many aspects of my profession, including helping people and advancing healthcare. However, I must confess that some of the above quotes sound familiar to me—not as harsh, but the essence of it.

Contributing Factors

The majority of physicians attribute their stress and subsequent burnout to excessive bureaucratic tasks (62%), long work hours (41%), and a lack of respect from colleagues and administration (40%). This stress is not only a precursor to burnout but also depression, which 20% of physicians report suffering from, primarily due to overwhelming job demands.

Here comes the good news: Adopting AI technology in healthcare can significantly reduce the administrative and bureaucratic burdens on physicians, which currently consume around 30% of their time. This technology promises to enhance clinical efficiency by automating tasks such as documentation and routine data analysis, allowing doctors to concentrate on direct patient care and complex medical cases. AI can handle large patient volumes effectively. AI can perform many routine healthcare tasks and streamline patient management. Here are three examples: Suki, DeepScribe, Nuance Dragon Medical One. This shift could profoundly impact job satisfaction and reduce burnout among physicians.

Coping Mechanisms and Solutions

Physicians adopt various strategies to cope with burnout and its consequences, including exercise, social support, and adjusting work hours. Approximately 30% have reduced their work hours, and 25% have changed jobs or settings to find more supportive environments. However, these individual efforts are not enough. There is a pressing need for systemic changes, such as additional support staff and more flexible work schedules, to tackle these issues and reduce burnout effectively.

We can all learn from the doctors here. The top three on the list above are landmarks in longevity, too. Proper sleep and exercise are a must; healthy social connections should be a non-negotiable.

Employer Response and Need for Support

Despite the efforts of individual physicians, many feel that their employers are not adequately addressing the burnout crisis. 48% expressed dissatisfaction with the organizational support for wellness. This survey underscores the critical role of healthcare institutions in prioritizing their staff's mental health and well-being. By doing so, they can maintain high standards of patient care and promote the health of their physicians.

It's important to acknowledge that burnout is a prevalent issue in the workplace, regardless of the industry. As a leader, you must be sensitive to this topic and take appropriate measures to address it. Avoiding or downplaying it won't help anyone. Starting an open dialogue can be the first step towards finding a solution. Remember, this issue could affect more people in your work environment than you realize.

I would love to get your thoughts and comments!

Deep squat

I've long observed various cultures practicing the deep squat, commonly used while waiting for transportation or performing daily tasks. This simple pose is remarkably beneficial, particularly for easing my back pain.

The deep squat, characterized by lowering the body as close to the ground as possible while keeping the feet flat, boosts lower body mobility, strengthens leg and lower back muscles, and enhances digestion by optimally positioning the pelvis. It also improves joint health, reducing injury risks by increasing flexibility.

To integrate deep squats into daily life, try incorporating them during TV breaks, after prolonged sitting, or while interacting with children. Even a few minutes daily can significantly bolster your strength and flexibility.

Personally, I've made it a habit to squat during calls, while reading, or browsing my phone. Despite some initial discomfort, it has now become a refreshing part of my routine. Give it a try and see the benefits for yourself!

I will proudly steal this. Check future documents for footnotes.

DISCLAIMER: None of this (such as text, graphics, images, and other materials) is medical or health advice. This newsletter is strictly for informational, educational, and entertaining purposes only. While I’m a medical doctor and a dentist by training, I’m not your doctor. The content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on high on health! Please be careful and do your research.