After her best friend from medical school died by suicide in 2019, Dr. Sapna Shah- Haque realized how broken the current medical system is. She became an advocate for supporting mental health and preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. In this episode, we covered a lot of ground, from the pressure to be infallible to creating a supportive culture in the workplace.
In this episode, we talk about:
- the stigmas and barriers to receiving mental health support for healthcare professionals
- how to be authentic and embrace your imperfections in a profession that demands you to be infallible
- tips for creating a fun and enjoyable workplace where everyone feels supported and valued
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the medical field who has ever struggled with mental health. Tune in now to hear Dr. Shah-Haque’s insights!
Use the audio player above to listen, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
How to Avoid Burnout in Medicine
As a doctor, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to be infallible and to never make mistakes. But is it possible to reconcile that with being a human and embracing our imperfections? I recently had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque about how she balances both sides and avoids burnout in the medical field.
Embracing Imperfections
Dr. Shah-Haque shared that the pressure in the medical field is to be infallible and to not make mistakes. But she believes it’s important to embrace imperfections and acknowledge when we don’t know something. When she truly doesn’t know something, she’s honest with her patients and says, “I don’t know, we can try X, Y, and Z.” Being authentic and showing up as herself has helped her avoid burnout and feel like a complete person.
Creating a Supportive Culture
Dr. Shah-Haque emphasized the importance of creating a supportive culture in the workplace. She works in an office where they have a great staff and colleagues. They’ve created a culture where they can joke around a little bit to relieve stress. She emphasizes that culture is created from the top down and encourages companies to look for work ethic and how well potential employees interact with others in creating a culture that is fun and enjoyable.
Finding Balance
Dr. Shah-Haque also talked about the importance of finding balance in work and life. She works part-time, which allows her to embrace both the crazy and creative side of herself and the physician side. She works outpatient only and doesn’t do inpatient work because it’s not sustainable for her. When she leaves work, she wants to ensure that she has protected time with her family and is rested.
Seeking Help
If you’re feeling burnt out and unfulfilled in medicine, Dr. Shah-Haque’s advice is to get help. She stresses that you are replaceable at work, but you are not replaceable at home. There are resources available, such as Physicians Anonymous and Physician Coach Support, which are free tools to help.
Conclusion
Dr. Shah-Haque’s insights provide valuable guidance for avoiding burnout in medicine. By embracing imperfections, creating a supportive culture, finding balance, and seeking help, we can work towards a more sustainable and fulfilling career in medicine. Remember, you are replaceable at work, but you are not replaceable at home.
“YOU are replaceable at work, but YOU are not replaceable at home.”
Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque
