PHYSICIAN WELLNESS COMMITTEE UPDATE Matthew D. Keeler, DO

PHYSICIAN WELLNESS COMMITTEE UPDATE

By Matthew D. Keeler, DO

Emergency physician fatigue and burnout has been well recognized for many years. The worldwide pandemic has added additional stressors, both in the work environment and in our personal lives. The nature of emergency medicine produces a raw, unfiltered view of medicine. As front-line healthcare workers there is a finite amount of energy one can provide before a recharge is required. The ACOEP recognizes the increasing demands placed upon EM physicians and the widespread stressors that lend towards clinicians moving away from bedside care years before intended. While most individuals have selfcreated mechanisms to improve their personal wellness, the ACOEP is here to help.

The causes for burnout are vast and personal. Major factors such as increasing workload, clinical inefficiency, and diminishing autonomy rate are at the top for surveyed EM physicians. Each year is accompanied by increasing rates of physician suicide, residents experiencing major depression and medical students reporting higher rates of depression than the general population.

The focus of the AOCEP Wellness Committee is to address the high level of physician fatigue and the lack of focus on provider wellness. The Committee will provide education, resources and options for intervention to help individuals thrive throughout their career. It is crucial to optimize wellness and career longevity so EM physicians can be their best at the bedside. Self-care and healthy, personal relationships enhance one’s career and improve clinical effectiveness.

Understandably, EM physicians and other providers seek to improve both their clinical wellness and non-clinical wellness. The Wellness Committee provides resources to improve job control and autonomy, promote a healthy work environment and opportunities to explore multiple avenues of clinical interests to promote job diversification. Regarding personal wellness, expect to see resource dedication to emotional and physical wellbeing, and materials to aid in improving a work life balance.

Recognizing that you may benefit from improved wellness is the first step. Take advantage of the resources provided to you as a member of the ACOEP to aid in your own personal wellness. The first step in helping others is by helping yourself. –•–

CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION ON THE ACOEP DOCMATTER COMMUNITY FORUM. HTTPS://WWW.DOCMATTER.COM/ACOEP

SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION

Data from Data from CDC, NIMH, WHO, NAMI and other select sources for National Suicide Awareness Month

Key Facts • More than 700, 000 people die due to suicide every year. • For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. • Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds. • 77% of global suicide occur in low-and middleincome countries. • Ingestion of pesticides, hangings, and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide.

Individual Impact • 79% of all people who die by suicide are male. • Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are 4x more likely to die by suicide. • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S. • Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. • 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition - but research shows that 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Community Impact • Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group: • 4.9% of all adults • 11.3% of young adults aged 18-25 • 18.8% of high school students • 45% of LGBTQ youth • The highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Natives followed by nonHispanic whites. • Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are nearly 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth. • Transgender adults are nearly 9x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. • Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

Suicides are preventable. There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. LIVE LIFE, WHO’s approach to suicide prevention, recommends the following key effective evidence-based interventions:

• Limit access to the means of suicide (e.g., pesticides, firearms, certain medications); • Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; • Early identification, assess, management and follow up of anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors.

These need to go hand-in-hand with the following foundational pillars: situation analysis, multisectoral collaboration, awareness raising, capacity building, financing, surveillance and monitoring and evaluation. Suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, defense, politics, and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide.

Suicide Prevention Resources NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “Helpline” to 62640 Call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911

Call or text 988 or Chat at 988lifeline.org Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 for free, 23/7 crisis counseling American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: 1-888-333AFSP (2377) Suicide Awareness Voices of Education: 952-946-7998

Wellness Resources NAMI “It’s OK to Talk about Suicide” infographic https://nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/ NAMI_Suicide_2022_FINAL.pdf NAMI “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis” infographic https://nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/ crisis%20guide/INFO-Warning-Signs-of-Suicide-ENG.pdf