Academic Medicine Open Forum

The issue of resilience and well-being in academic medicine has been an AAMC priority for several years.  Even before the recent pandemic, we know that "burnout" among physicians, in particular, is associated with marked high levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, emotional and physical exhaustion, loss of cognitive focus, and even thoughts of suicide-at a higher rate than in the general population.  With the added burden of pandemic response, it's more important than ever to keep the well-being of our clinical care colleagues in mind.  I'm mindful of the rest of us as well, off the front-lines, who are experiencing disruptions and anxiety of the highest order.

What self-care practices are you employing right now to manage your resilience? How are you caring for yourself as well as for others during this difficult time?

The issue of resilience and well-being in academic medicine has been an AAMC priority for several years.  Even before the recent pandemic, we know that "burnout" among physicians, in particular, is associated with marked high levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, emotional and physical exhaustion, loss of cognitive focus, and even thoughts of suicide-at a higher rate than in the general population.  With the added burden of pandemic response, it's more important than ever to keep the well-being of our clinical care colleagues in mind.  I'm mindful of the rest of us as well, off the front-lines, who are experiencing disruptions and anxiety of the highest order.

What self-care practices are you employing right now to manage your resilience? How are you caring for yourself as well as for others during this difficult time?

The issue of resilience and well-being in academic medicine has been an AAMC priority for several years.  Even before the recent pandemic, we know that "burnout" among physicians, in particular, is associated with marked high levels of anxiety, depression, insomnia, emotional and physical exhaustion, loss of cognitive focus, and even thoughts of suicide-at a higher rate than in the general population.  With the added burden of pandemic response, it's more important than ever to keep the well-being of our clinical care colleagues in mind.  I'm mindful of the rest of us as well, off the front-lines, who are experiencing disruptions and anxiety of the highest order.

What self-care practices are you employing right now to manage your resilience? How are you caring for yourself as well as for others during this difficult time?