Physician burnout remains a critical issue in Canada, impacting not just physicians but also patient outcomes and the broader healthcare system. The high demands of the medical profession, administrative burdens, and the emotional toll that often comes with caring for others can lead to significant stress and exhaustion among physicians.
One year after three Ontario-based physician teams began exploring innovative strategies to address physician burnout, they are sharing their insights and findings in a newly-released podcast.
Their work, which focuses on practical ways to foster physician well-being, has led to tangible progress on the path toward reducing stress and burnout within Canada’s healthcare system.
Listen Now (35 Minute Runtime)
Podcast Excerpts: Three Distinct Approaches
While each project takes a different approach to combating burnout, they share a common goal – creating sustainable, evidence-based solutions for physicians across Ontario and beyond.
1. Mentorship and Peer Coaching for Family Physicians: Led by Dr. Noah Ivers
“We were struck by the research suggesting that formal coaching programs can help address burnout. Could we train family docs to start looking after each other more actively, not just their patients, so they can care for their patients in a more sustainable way?” ~Dr. Ivers
2. Mindfulness Training Tailored for Physicians: Dr. Julie Maggi, and Dr. Elli Weisbaum
“One of the outcomes we’re seeing is, often throughout the day, physicians are rushing and running between everything they do. And what might be some mental fitness activities, some micro-practices, that can be placed when walking down the hallways between meetings, when sanitizing between patients, and applying mindfulness while the OR is being cleaned? So finding these cost-neutral moments where instead of replaying the worries – the fears that can happen in these spaces – we find a way to actually take a brain break.” ~ Dr. Weisbaum
3. A Framework for Wellness Program Evaluation: Dr. Sanjeev Sockalingam and Dr. Treena Wilkie
“So we’ve reviewed over 100 studies that looked at evaluating the initiatives and came up with what is right now, a preliminary evaluation framework specific to physician wellness initiatives… And what our hope is, is that we can now start to test that evaluation framework both in our organization here at CAMH and other organizations, and then have a way that we can all be speaking the same language about how to evaluate these initiatives, and then how to really see what works.” ~Dr. Wilkie
Listen to the Full Podcast on From the Burgundy Chairs, hosted by Santis Health
Moving Forward Together
At Dr.Bill we recognize that tackling physician burnout requires actionable solutions, which is why we provided the grants to fund these three important projects. These conversations illuminate both the personal experiences and systemic factors contributing to physician burnout while highlighting actionable strategies that have shown promise in reducing stress and improving physician well-being.
This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.
