143 Moral Injury and Well-being: Channeling Mr. Rogers

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

Psychological safety is crucial and cannot be undervalued in the continuing and challenging process of addressing physician burnout and prioritizing well-being. Dr. Gaggino's guest, Karen Horneffer-Ginter, PhD, discusses how organizations and institutions can start to acknowledge and deal with the systemic problems causing burnout by creating a space where clinicians can openly express concerns without fear of retaliation or condemnation. Individuals must prioritize their own self-care and wellness in addition to organizational and institutional reforms. Karen Horneffer-Ginter believes It's time to change the way healthcare is perceived and to value the humanity of people who care for others. Yes, burnout is a complex problem that calls for all hands-on deck. And Dr. Lia Gaggino and Karen Horneffer-Ginter will explore the concept of promoting a "safe-place culture" and the concept that clinicians can and should work towards creating an environment where everyone thrives and feels valued.

[00:33 -13:55] The Evolving Landscape of Wellness and Well-being in Healthcare

• Recognizing the Neglected Importance of Mental Health in Medicine
• Wellness vs. Well-Being: Exploring the Nuances and Evolving Definitions in Healthcare
• Adapting Language for Genuine Conversations: Addressing Burnout, Moral Injury, and Beyond
• Personalizing Wellness: Moving Beyond Individual Responsibility and Addressing Organizational Interventions

[13:56- 25:06] Challenges in Maintaining Boundaries and Well-being in Healthcare

• Healthcare professionals find themselves sacrificing their own well-being, time, and personal needs to attend to the needs of others, going above and beyond their duties.
• A distinction between work and personal life can be facilitated through rituals, similar to Mr. Rogers taking off his jacket and putting on his sweater.
• healthcare providers MUST regularly check in with themselves, assess their own well-being, and acknowledge their vulnerabilities.
• Healthcare professionals are often in a mindset of providing help rather than seeking it, which can hinder their own self-assessment and well-being.

[25:07 -39:20] Organizational Interventions and Advocacy for Well-being

• Profit: The need to ensure financial sustainability and keep the lights on in the business of medicine.
• Wellness: healthcare professionals taking care of their own well-being and finding a balance between personal and professional life.
• Organizational interventions: Call centers, hospitalist services, and neonatal nurse practitioners could address workload and provide support.
• Documentation and electronic health records: Dealing with the challenges and demands associated with electronic records and finding ways to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.

[39:21- 49:53] The Importance of Self-Care and Support

• Prioritizing personal needs and seeking professional help when necessary
• Overcoming the stigma of seeking for professional help
• Taking intentional breaks from the work-related responsibilities with apps, family time, alone time, etc.
• Scheduling time for restorative activities and unplugging

[49:54 - 54:36] Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Karen Horneffer-Ginter

Linked In: @Karen Horneffer-Ginter

Links to resources mentioned on the show

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