The American Academy of Pediatrics found general pediatricians reported a 10 percent increase in burnout between 2011 and 2014. A clinical report, "Physician Health and Wellness" published on the organization's website Oct. 24, provided tips for reducing physicians' stress.
"There is often a stigma with seeking help, even among those we typically consider as the helpers," Hilary McClafferty, MD, said in a news release. "We must work together to make sure physicians are given the respect, privacy and opportunity to be heard without stigma or professional penalty and continue to advocate for the wellbeing of physicians at every stage of training and practice."
The report made the following recommendations to increase physician wellness:
- Include a regular practice of structured debriefing with the medical team after difficult patient encounters or poor outcomes.
- Maintain healthy lifestyle fundamentals such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress management.
- Plan and take regular time off and vacations.
- Develop nonmedical hobbies.
- Build and maintain a supportive social and family network.
- Create a personal mission statement.
- Try mind-body approaches such as mindfulness.