#HealthyinMedicine

• "The lesion I see on x-ray is a bone tumor that will likely need to be resected..."
  
• "The colonoscopy showed cancer—a 5-centimeter tumor called adenocarcinoma..."
• "Labs came back, and it shows you are diabetic with an A1C of 11.0. We will need to start some medications.."
• "I know you have a lot of concerns, but let’s focus on the first two reasons that brought you in today..."
• "I cannot prescribe you more pain meds. My job is to manage your pain while also keeping you safe..."
• "You’re right, I have no idea what it’s like to be homeless, but I will try to help you as much as possible..."

 
These are just small excerpts from patient conversations this week. Mix this in with being on call, long hours (57 hours this week), short lunch breaks (if at all), charts, paperwork (prior authorizations, referrals, medication refills, etc). Yikes. The stress seems never ending. Where do we fit in our own self-care?
 
As our role in medicine is to heal others…sometimes it is easy to forget about ourselves. 
 
Reminder: We’re healers but we’re also humans. Which is why this campaign #healthyinmedicine came about.

Who started #healthyinmedicine? 
So lucky to be a part of a group of amazing PA bloggers who met up (via videochat) for the first time this month. We started talking about self-care and work-life balance, and how taking care of ourselves often takes a back seat to patient care and work life. We decided to speak out about it and share what this means to us!
 
What does #healthyinmedicine mean to me? 
Being healthy in medicine means taking the time for oneself. Trust me—sometimes this is easier said than done. There have been many times when I wonder or call in about a patient’s status. “Did patient Ms. X follow-up? Did her condition worsen? Did we get the stat labs? What did the MRI report show?” Being & staying healthy in medicine for me means a bit more than physical health. While I’m always a proponent for healthy eating (more raw food, less processed foods) and working out—I’m more so interested in mental health, self-care, and preventing burn out

 Self-Care Tips: Outside of Work

Keep your Mind Off Work

• Silence your email notifications, turn off work messaging apps, etc. It is so easy to fall into the “I’ll just check my email real quick” and then 3 hours later you’re basically charting and finishing up to-do lists. You need time off to completely recharge, make sure your environment supports this

Take Time for Yourself/Do Something You Love

• Focus on your well-being. It may mean you unplug/disconnect from social media, spa day, massage, Netflix. Remember that a self-care day doesn’t necessarily mean spending a ton of money or extravagant experiences! It just means quality time with yourself—and others who make you happy

Meditate/Mindfulness

• If you’ve never tried meditation or mindfulness, I’d suggest looking up exercises on Youtube or using one of my favorite apps—HeadSpace.
• Side note: I’m not sponsored by HeadSpace in anyway just really love it! It has seriously been one of my favorite apps and totally worth the price. It is guided mindfulness exercises. There’s an amazing student discount ($10/year). Mindfulness and meditation focuses on my breathing and takes away my stress and anxiety. Like everything, a healthy consistent practice is key!
  • Headspace Student Discount​

Take a hike/walk outside

• There’s something about fresh air that just rejuvenates the mind and body. Its a great way to disconnect from constraints of hectic work-life. Wander where the Wifi is weak​​

Try something new

• I’m always a proponent of new experiences! Nothing quite exhilarates you as trying out something new and just basking in the process of being a noob. I tried aerial yoga a couple years ago and completely fell in love with it. You never know what is going to interest you. I’m going to try rock climbing later this month

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Self-Care Tips: While at Work

Speak up/Reach out

• As a new grad, I had to learn this the hard way. No one can read your mind and it is not anyone's job to. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your schedule, amount of patients, anything...be sure to tell someone! Start with your supervising physician. Also reach to colleagues if you are unsure how to handle a situation, most of the time they'll have great advice
• In my first month as a PA, I had no idea if feeling overwhelmed with the amount of patients was normal or "is it just me?" I reached out to my colleagues but also a couple of experienced PAs on Instagram. Everyone was happy to give advice
  

Hydrate

• ​Dehydration just makes everything worse. Headaches, fatigue. Bring your water bottle, it'll remind you to continue hydrating

Learn the value of saying no & telling people they have to wait

• Lobby full of patients? Multiple chief complaints from patients?  I know it is a bit difficult when patients are waiting on something from you, but know that your time is also valuable!

​Take breaks

• Lots of us in shift work are use to just powering through the 10, 12, 13 hour shifts. "Just one last patient and then I'll take my break." I've said this way too many times before. Know that you cannot do your best work when you're fatigued. Take the break when you need it