GI A publication dedicated to advancing GI Practices and ASCs
Making Staff Mental Health a Priority in Your Center | pg. 4 Physician Mental Well-being | pg. 2 Physician Mental Health Impacts Patient Interactions | pg. 7 OCTOBER 2023
GI Editorial Staff Suzette Sison Editor in Chief ssison@pegisolutions.com Kelly McCormick Digital/Managing Editor kmccormick@pegisolutions.com Contributing Writers: Lynn Hetzler, Jake Keator, Robert Kurtz, and Rachael Samonski Publishing services are provided by GLC, part of SPM group, 9911 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, (847) 205–3000, glcdelivers.com.
Strategies | Business strategy and the bottom line |
Physician
Mental Well-being Improving physician health involves addressing and combatting burnout
PE GI Journal™, a free publication, is published by PE GI Solutions, 2500 York Road, Suite 300, Jamison, PA 18929. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of PE GI Solutions, PE GI Journal, or the editorial staff. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: PE GI Solutions, Attn: PE GI Journal, 2500 York Road, Suite 300, Jamison, PA 18929. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of PE GI Journal contents, neither the editor nor staff can be held responsible for the accuracy of information herein, or any consequences arising from it. Advertisers assume liability and responsibility for all content (including text, illustrations, and representations) of their advertisements published. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright © 2023 by PE GI Solutions. All rights reserved. All copyright for material appearing in PE GI Journal belongs to PE GI Solutions, and/or the individual contributor/clients, and may not be reproduced without the written consent of PE GI Solutions. Reproduction in whole or in part of the contents without expressed permission is prohibited. To request reprints or the rights to reprint such as copying for general distribution, advertising, or promotional purposes: Submit in writing by mail or send via email to info@pegisolutions.com.
Improving Physician Health Providing quality patient care is more than having the best technology and ammenities at your ambulatory surgery center (ASC). It’s also taking care of yourself first. Learn more at insights.sca.health.
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t PE GI Solutions, our top priority is the well-being of our patients and our community of partners and staff. A healthy and supported team enables us to deliver high-quality care. However, physicians across the healthcare industry report experiencing mental struggles related to job requirements and the daily stress associated with their work. Of these struggles, many have reported burnout as one of the
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significant factors. Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged exposure to stress and excessive work demands. It significantly impacts individuals’ well-being, job satisfaction, and overall productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized the severity of burnout as an “occupational phenomenon” in 2019. Burnout is a gradual process; actively reducing stress can prevent a breakdown.
Understanding Burnout Burnout is often caused by chronic stress. Stress levels can become persistent and unmanageable when individuals consistently face overwhelming workloads, tight deadlines, or a lack of control over their work. Over time, the body and mind struggle to cope with this continuous stress to the point that the person feels exhausted, empty, and unable to cope.
Cover: iStock.com/LumiNola; opposite page: iStock.com/alvarez; this page: iStock.com/Mario Arango
Recognizing the Signs Physicians should identify the signs of stress in themselves and their colleagues. Common physical symptoms include fatigue, high blood pressure or sleep issues, and changes in appetite. Emotionally, individuals may experience changes like irritability, sadness, and anxiety. Research also shows that cognitive aspects such as difficulty concentrating, reduced decision-making abilities, and interpersonal challenges are signs to watch for. These effects on performance and interpersonal communication can also lead to increased medical errors—placing physicians, practices, and centers at risk for malpractice lawsuits. Burnout is characterized by three main symptoms: exhaustion, self-isolation from work and family, and reduced performance. Recognizing these signs early can help individuals seek support and address burnout to promote well-being.
Supporting Mental Health PE GI Solutions remains committed to providing a healthy work environment for all our physicians and teammates. We recommend that our teammates take proactive steps to protect their mental health, including the strategies below. Encouraging Open Communication We prioritize open communication as a cornerstone
of our supportive culture. Our partners and staff are encouraged to express their thoughts, opinions, and concerns openly. We create a sense of trust and reassurance by fostering an environment where individuals feel safe to share their experiences. Regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and confidential feedback channels provide avenues for open communication, ensuring that partners and staff feel validated and supported. Promoting Work-life Balance For physicians, maintaining a hectic daily schedule while working to balance relationships with families and friends, hobbies, and exercise can be a struggle. However, ensuring
you take appropriate time away from work to unwind and decompress can help you provide the highest quality care to patients. PE GI Solutions emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and taking time for self-care. We encourage partners and staff to schedule regular breaks, vacations, and personal days to recharge and reconnect with their passions outside of work. By promoting worklife balance, we empower individuals to prioritize their physical and mental well-being, increase job satisfaction, reduce burnout, and improve overall productivity. Outside Resources and Activities Resources outside the workplace offer a safe space
to vent the frustrations of working in a fast-paced, dynamic, patient-centric industry. Some standard stress outlets include: Therapy Therapy allows you to have private conversations and discuss issues from a third-party perspective. Unfortunately, within the healthcare community, a stigma around seeking treatment has persisted, even following the COVID-19 pandemic. While the national narrative about mental health has seen a positive shift, the healthcare industry remains reluctant, despite the positive impact it can have. Exercise Exercise has also proven valuable for physicians. Endorphins associated with exercise provide natural stress relief and another safe outlet to release frustrations outside the workplace. Friends and Family Quality time away from the office can be a valuable resource to reduce stress. Spending this time with family, friends, or significant others can be an easy way to enjoy oneself and focus on tasks unrelated to work.
Conclusion By understanding the signs of burnout, encouraging open communication, and promoting work-life balance, physicians can take time to focus on themselves and continue to provide high-quality care for patients.
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Strategies | Business strategy and the bottom line |
Making Staff Mental Health a
Priorityin Your Center
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How ambulatory surgery centers can help their staff members help themselves
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hen somone’s mental health is affected, delivering all that has done is contribute to burnout, dysfunction and quality healthcare becomes difficult at best, says unhealthy practices that can lead to self-harm.” Amiee Mingus, vice president of clinical operations For GI centers and practices, prioritizing mental health for PE GI Solutions. “Delivering the level of care patients helps ensure patients receive the care they deserve. But the expect can be impossible when staff aren’t feeling confident benefits can go much further, says Chaisson. “You may retain or are feeling anxious and burnt out. Unfortunately, this is a your staff for longer, keep them from diverting drugs, keep growing concern and definitely something we all need to be staff from mistreating patients or one another, and you’re paying closer attention to.” going to help prevent negativity How big of a challenge is the that damages your culture.” In 2022, frontline healthcare workers mental health of healthcare workreported feeling ers? Consider these statistics: stress 91% Areas of Focus • From a 2022 survey of 5,000 frontline healthcare workers, Fortunately, there are many ways anxiety 83% 91% reported feeling stress, you can elevate the importance 83% reported anxiety, 81% of mental health among your staff exhaustion/burnout 81% reported feeling exhaustion/ and create a more supportive, safer, burnout and 71% reported being overwhelmed and healthier work environment. 71% overwhelmed. More than half of One place to start: identifying staff all workers had questioned their mental health as a key issue for In 2022, physicians surveyed felt career path in the three months your center. prior to the survey. A Harvard Business Review column inappropriate feelings • A 2022 survey of more than on burnout states: “Leaders must of anger, tearfulness, 1,500 physicians found that treat mental health as an organizaor anxiety 3 in 5 felt inappropriate feelings tional priority with accountability of anger, fearfulness or anxiety; mechanisms such as regular pulse one-third had felt hopeless or that surveys and clear ownership. felt hopeless or that they had no purpose; and 3 in 5 It should not just be relegated to they had no purpose often had feelings of burnout — [human resources]. Leaders should up from 4 in 10 in 2018. serve as allies by sharing their own experiences to foster an environ• According to a 2023 survey of often had feelings ment of transparency and openness.” more than 1,000 U.S. workers of burnout Once leadership acknowledges about job stress, the medical the importance of mental health, and health services industry was which should help reduce some ranked the most stressful industry. of the stigma associated with the subject, it may become Further complicating matters is the pressure on healtheasier to implement a program to reduce work-related stress. care workers to focus on patients rather than themselves, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says Teresa Chaisson, senior director of clinical support, compliance and risk management for PE GI Solutions. “There (NIOSH) developed the “Total Worker Health” (TWH) program for business managers and supervisors. The TWH is a global perception that we as healthcare workers are supposed to suppress all emotions so we can do our jobs. But approach, NIOSH notes, “prioritizes a hazard-free work environment for all workers.” How can you achieve this type of environment? The “There is a global perception that we Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that a program to reduce work-related stress might include as healthcare workers are supposed to implementing policies that eliminate the root causes of stress, suppress all emotions so we can do our such as excess demands or workplace bullying, while providing workers with increased flexibility and control over their jobs. But all that has done is contribute work and schedules. CDC also calls attention to the value to burnout, dysfunction and unhealthy of training supervisors on ways to reduce stressful working conditions and training all staff on improving stress managepractices that can lead to self-harm.” ment and reduction. –Teresa Chaisson, senior director of clinical support, Another key facet of such a program recommended by the CDC is providing staff access to employee assistance compliance and risk management for PE GI Solutions
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Strategies | Business strategy and the bottom line | programs (EAP). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health adequate coverage for mental health, behavioral health and Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes, “EAPs can help substance use disorders. employees with personal problems that affect their job APA also advises leaders to look for ways to strengthen performance. EAPs can identify and address various health, their plans by removing barriers to accessing support. “For financial, and social issues, including mental and substance example, choose a plan with out-of-network mental health use disorders.” benefits so employees can access clinicians who may not be Chaisson strongly advocates for EAPs, acknowledging that in network with your provider. You should also ensure that she has benefitted from their services, including the opportumental health benefits and resources are easily accessible nity to receive debriefing treatment. and understandable and support A Psychology Today column defines employees across the continuum debriefing as: “a specific technique of mental wellness.” designed to assist others in dealing with the physical or psychological Continuing to symptoms that are generally associated with trauma exposure.” Combat Stigma If center staff experience a traumatic incident, debriefing Keeping mental health in the can help staff better process the spotlight through these and other experience, Chaisson says. “We efforts should help you achieve need to encourage healthcare another important goal: getting staff professionals and the general to speak up when they are strugpublic to accept that sometimes gling with their mental health. That’s we need to debrief ourselves. especially important given what has Using an EAP is not a weakness.” transpired over the past few years. While nearly all mid-to-large comThe COVID-19 pandemic While nearly all mid-to-large companies offer panies offer EAPs, only about 4% of heaped even greater stress on EAPs, only about 4% of employees use them yearly, employees use them yearly, accordhealthcare workers, with a survey according to Mental Health America (MHA). ing to Mental Health America (MHA). taken from June to September Reasons for low usage include a lack 2020 revealing that 93% of health of employee awareness that an EAP exists, the services workers reported being stressed out and stretched too available, and how to access the services. MHA recommends thin, and 82% saying they were emotionally and physically several tactics to increase EAP awareness and education. exhausted. “COVID brought out the stress, anxiety, and issues that were already there in healthcare but made them Among them are sharing information about the EAP throughout the year, inviting an EAP representative to discuss services, much more exacerbated,” Mingus says. A silver lining of the pandemic was that talking about mental and ensuring management is aware of the available services. health, including one’s situation, has become less stigmatized, Given that mental health is still largely stigmatized, MHA Mingus says. “Mental health has advises companies not to just come to the forefront. Before focus on the mental health serCOVID, people weren’t upfront vices associated with an EAP. EAP about their mental health because services may include financial planthey were worried about losing ning education, family assistance their jobs or being looked down and caregiver resources. MHA “Mental Health “Mental Health upon. That seems to be changing.” states, “The intention of an EAP at Work” from the Resources for Chaisson says that centers can is to help employees maintain U.S. Department Employers” from Mental help keep this positive momentum a positive work-life balance and of Labor Health America going by giving the mental health serve as an additional support of staff greater attention and when life matters interfere with appreciation. “We must continue performing at their best at work.” “StigmaFree Company” “Workplace Well-Being to work to change the percepThe American Psychological from the Resources” from the tion of healthcare workers. If we Association (APA) recommends National Alliance Office of the on Mental Illness Surgeon General reduce burnout and dysfunction, that business leaders review their we must allow healthcare workers existing health insurance policies to be human.” to determine whether they include
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Additional mental health resources
| Highlights from PE GI Journal |
Insights
Physician Mental Health Impacts
Patient Interactions
Sometimes, the best way to take care of patients is by taking care of yourself first
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oday’s gastroenterology physicians face the daunting task of caring for patients daily and managing the collective mental wear associated with it. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new spotlight focused on a sharp rise in burnout and the exodus of providers from the field. Managing mental health ensures that you are prepared to provide care and that interactions with staff, fellow physicians, and, most importantly, patients, remain positive. Failing to take care of yourself can contribute to adverse outcomes, leading to a loss of patients and significant financial impact.
Mental Health Challenges The rapid rise of burnout among healthcare providers has urged providers to prioritize mental health. Research has shown that mental health struggles commonly lead to negative interactions with coworkers and patients. A report from Health Data Management reveals that from 2021 to 2022, 65% of surveyed physicians said they experienced burnout. Additionally, 35% of that group added that burnout symptoms “significantly increased” in 2022. Despite the official end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stress associated with years of difficult situations and changes in lifestyle has left a mark on the industry as the world continues to recover and return to normalcy.
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The Patient Perspective Interactions with patients are part of being a physician. Your attitude can give patients confidence, knowledge, and reassurance that their health is your top priority. However, physicians struggling with mental health may see a stark change in their attitudes toward others. iScribe Health outlines effects of physician burnout, including
a shift in mentality inside the office that can lead to awkward situations involving patients. “While being cynical can seem like an attitude problem, this sort of negativity to colleagues, sometimes about particular patients, can create awkwardness or conflict that disrupts the normally professional environment of a doctor’s office or emergency room,” the report says. Patients expect empathy and insight. Changes in a physician’s approach due to mental struggles can lead to a lack of trust or a perceived lack of compassion. As a result, patients may leave negative reviews of their experience, driving other patients away.
Increased Risk of Error The depersonalization of care that results from a physician’s mental health struggles can lead to adverse surgical outcomes. iScribe Health also notes “The depersonalization dimension of physician burnout was associated with patient outcomes of lower satisfaction and longer post-discharge recovery time. It’s clear in this instance that the attitude of physicians goes a long way when treating patients.”
Take Care of Yourself Physicians must take time for themselves to manage mental health and stressors. This includes exercise, therapy, and spending time with loved ones. These proactive steps benefit physicians and patients while improving outcomes and patient satisfaction scores. PE GI Solutions and SCA Health encourages all our physician partners to take time to manage their health to maintain a healthy mind and body. Resources: HealthDataManagement.com, BizJournals.com, and iscribehealth.com
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