How to Cope with Doctor Stress and Doctor Burnout - Do We All Need Therapy?

Doctors’ stress and burnout levels are higher than ever before. And sadly, this is unlikely to change anytime soon. So, how can doctors best cope with doctor stress to prevent doctor burnout?

Could therapy be the answer? Or should we all just shake it off and get on with the job?

Those are the big questions today’s episode looks at. And to answer them, I’m talking with Dr Will Gao, COO of Suvera Health, a virtual clinical services company.

He shares the pressures and mental health challenges he faced as a doctor. And he discusses what he has learned about the role of therapy in coping with the challenges faced in clinical practice - namely doctor stress and burnout.

We explore how Will’s journey has influenced his move into an alternative medical career in which he now supports a thriving community of people in his company.

Finally, we also look at whether all doctors should have therapy throughout our careers - from medical school to clinical practice. 

Should therapy be part of a holistic process to support overall wellbeing? 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Doctor stress and burnout is common and can affect all doctors at all stages of their careers


• Everyone should make their well-being a priority


• My perception of therapy was that it was something I didn’t need, I thought I could just get out of it on my own


• Being a doctor and caring for others is a strong identity and you want to feel you aren’t letting others down


• We should be more open to being vulnerable saying we are not okay


• There was huge value in being able to talk to someone professionally


• For me now, therapy is a preventative and part of maintaining my well being


• Therapy helps you to understand yourself on a much deeper level and in a completely different way


• Trust is a priority in getting the most out of therapy


• People are the assets of your company, the individuals are what’s important and therapy should be offered to everyone

BEST MOMENTS

‘The most important thing is that you trust the person’

‘It’s fundamental to everything to feel well about yourself and think clearly’

‘To support other people you have to be able to look after yourself’

RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE 

https://twitter.com/drwillgao?lang=en-GB

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ABOUT THE HOST

Dr. Abeyna Bubbers-Jones is a practising medical doctor and Founder of Medic Footprints: the global platform connecting doctors with diverse career opportunities beyond conventional medicine.

Her mission is to dramatically elevate health outcomes in the world by connecting 1 million doctors with diverse careers by 2030.

Continually exploring her own path off the medical treadmill, she has developed a wealth of expertise in specialist recruitment connecting industry & health tech companies with talented doctors, whilst supporting & coaching doctors in their own career development and wellbeing.

She is an award-winning entrepreneur, Consultant Occupational Health Physician, BBC Expert Voice, Public Speaker, Musician and not-so-good boulderer!

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