Managing Healthcare Stress: Identifying and Tackling Key Triggers Effectively
- Patricia Maris
- Nov 28, 2023
- 9 min read
Reading Time: 9' 23"
Word Count: 2,348
I. Introduction-Managing Stress in Healthcare
The healthcare industry, in all its rewarding glory, is a battlefield. It's a realm where lives are saved, miracles are witnessed, and breakthroughs are made. But it's also a world fraught with relentless pressures and demands that can take a toll on even the most resilient individuals.
Stress, in this high-stakes environment, is more than just an occupational hazard—it's a pervasive issue linked to burnout, decreased productivity, and compromised patient care.
In fact, recent studies have highlighted the significant impact of stress on health care professionals. According to a report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), healthcare workers face many unique stressors ranging from long work hours, workload and job pressure to exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous substances.
In the face of these challenges, it becomes paramount not just to identify but to manage these stress triggers effectively. How? The answer lies in visualising your wellness benchmark.
II.Embracing Wellness: The Power of Visualising Your Health and Wellbeing for Mental Wellness
A.The Power of Visualising Wellness
Visualising wellness involves assessing your current state of health and wellbeing, identifying areas of concern, and setting goals for improvement. It's about bringing the invisible—stress levels, mental fatigue, physical exhaustion—to light. And in doing so, you gain awareness, control, and ultimately, the ability to make informed decisions about your health and wellbeing.
This is where a wellness benchmark comes into play. By creating a clear, visual representation of your health status, you can better understand your body's responses to stress. You can see which areas need attention and which strategies are working. This way, you're not just reacting to stress; you're managing it proactively.
B.Tackling the Seven+ Significant Stress Triggers
To effectively manage stress, we must tackle its seven+ significant triggers: workload, control, reward, community, fairness, values, and the physical toll it takes on our bodies. These triggers are intertwined, each affecting and amplifying the others. By visualising your wellness benchmark, you can see how these triggers play out in your life and begin to devise strategies to counteract their effects.
For instance, if the workload is a significant stressor for you, seeing it represented visually can help you take steps to manage it better—be it through delegation, time management, or seeking support from colleagues. If control is an issue, visualising it can help you identify areas where you can exert more influence or develop coping strategies for situations outside your control.
The bottom line is that visualising your wellness benchmark is not just about tracking health metrics—it's about understanding how stress affects you personally and professionally and how you can navigate its challenges more effectively.
Remember, managing stress in healthcare isn't just about surviving—it's about thriving for the sake of your own health and the patients who rely on your care.
III. The Seven Significant Stress Triggers in Healthcare
1.Work Overload
In healthcare, "time is of the essence" takes on a whole new meaning. Healthcare professionals in understaffed institutions, such as those in Zimbabwe, often grapple with work overload. Long hours and back-to-back shifts can lead to physical exhaustion and mental strain, making this one of the significant stress triggers in the industry.
2. Post-Pandemic Mental Stress
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a wave of unprecedented health concerns, significantly amplifying stress levels among healthcare workers. Fear of infection, coupled with the emotional burden of tending to critically ill patients, often results in overwhelming levels of stress.
3. Inadequate Workplace Environment
A stressful workplace environment is another significant stress trigger in healthcare. Lack of resources, poor management practices, and high-pressure situations can create a tense atmosphere, negatively impacting healthcare professionals' mental wellbeing.
4. Job Insecurity
Job insecurity, particularly prevalent in the private healthcare sector, adds to the stress. The uncertainty surrounding job stability can induce anxiety, leading to decreased job satisfaction and increased stress levels.
5. Oxidative Stress
The healthcare sector often exposes its workers to harmful substances like heavy metals, leading to oxidative stress. This type of stress can contribute to various health adversities, adding another layer to the complex stress landscape in healthcare.
6. Lack of Compassionate Leadership
Compassionate leadership is crucial, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. When leaders fail to empathise with their staff and address their concerns adequately, it can heighten stress levels and create a sense of alienation.
7. Work-Life Imbalance
Finally, the work-life imbalance prevalent among female professionals in developing countries is a potent stress trigger. When excessive work demands encroach upon personal life, it can cause severe strain and lead to burnout.
IV.Breaking the Silence: Addressing the Hidden Crisis of Stress Among Young Doctors
The Silent Suffering: Many young doctors are grappling with professional stress-based mental health issues. While not all cases end in suicide, there's an undeniable problem in the medical profession that needs our immediate attention. Too many health care professionals are silent, indicating that the system needs reform.
Swept Under the Rug: Despite a worrying number of suicides among young doctors each year, the issue is often overlooked or downplayed. This lack of attention is detrimental to the wellbeing of our healthcare workforce and highlights the urgent need for open dialogue and proactive solutions.
Ignoring the Root Cause: Simply hiring more staff as a solution to the crisis in healthcare is akin to applying a band-aid on a deep wound - it provides temporary relief but fails to address the underlying issue. The root cause of the problem extends beyond staffing shortages, delving into areas such as excessive workloads, high-stress environments, and insufficient mental health support.
Excessive workload and unmanageable work demands can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. This, coupled with the high-stress nature of healthcare work, can exacerbate mental health issues among health care professionals, leading to symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, burnout, a consequence of chronic workplace stress, can negatively impact job performance and health-related outcomes.
Moreover, the lack of support for mental health in the workplace can further compound these issues. Training key staff members in 'psychological first aid' can be a step toward addressing this. However, it's also crucial to tackle toxic leadership and social norms and improve work design to enhance corporate culture.
In addition to these factors, it's equally important to consider the role of lifestyle factors such as inadequate sleep, poor nutrition, and lack of hydration. These can significantly impact the overall wellbeing of health care professionals, further adding to their stress levels.
Therefore, addressing these problems requires a WHOLE-istic approach beyond increasing staff numbers. It involves improving working conditions, providing robust mental health support, fostering a supportive work culture, and promoting healthy lifestyle habits among healthcare professionals.
High-Anxiety Milestones: Certain milestones in a healthcare professional's journey can significantly heighten stress levels. One such pivotal moment is when applications for specialist training are due. The pressure to secure a spot in these competitive programs can indeed trigger anxiety spikes.
GAMSAT and Medical School Admission: The Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) and the subsequent admission process into medical school can be a significant source of stress for Australian medical students. Dealing with rejection or waitlists can also cause anxiety. Students should ensure they care for their mental health during this period through counselling, regular exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.
First Clinical Skills Assessment: The first clinical skills assessment can be a significant stress-inducing milestone. The pressure to demonstrate medical knowledge in a practical setting can be overwhelming. Regular practice, peer review sessions, and mindfulness exercises can help manage this stress.
Clinical Rotations: Transitioning from theoretical learning to hands-on patient care during clinical rotations can cause heightened anxiety. The fear of making mistakes and dealing with real-life medical scenarios can be stressful. Seeking mentorship and utilising stress management techniques like deep breathing exercises and yoga can help during this phase.
Internship Applications: Applying for internships is a critical stage and can trigger high-stress levels due to the competitive nature of placements. Stress management during this period can include maintaining a balanced lifestyle, regular physical activity, social interactions, and relaxation techniques.
Fellowship Training Program Application: The application process for Fellowship Training Programs through the various Australian specialty colleges is another critical stress point. The uncertainty and competition can lead to severe anxiety. It's essential to stay connected with support networks, seek counselling if necessary, and practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress effectively.
Recognising these high-stress periods is the first step towards managing them effectively. Additional support during these times, whether through counselling services, peer discussions, or mindfulness exercises, can make a world of difference in maintaining mental wellbeing.
These milestones, while daunting, are integral parts of the journey towards becoming a specialist. They test not only your medical knowledge and skills but also your resilience and ability to handle pressure. However, it's crucial to remember that seeking help during these challenging times is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it's a smart strategy to ensure you're taking care of your mental health while pursuing your professional goals.
Balancing self-care with professional responsibilities might seem like a tightrope, but it's critical for a successful and healthy medical career. So, as you navigate these significant milestones, remember to breathe, take care of yourself, and reach out for support when needed. After all, the journey to becoming a healthcare professional is not just about caring for others but also about taking care of yourself.
Workplace Culture Shift: Reducing excessive overtime demands and stamping out bullying are essential to protecting the mental health of those in medicine. A shift in workplace culture is necessary to foster an environment where doctors feel supported and valued.
V.Conclusion
As we reach the end of this exploration into healthcare stress, it's clear that understanding and managing the triggers is vital to maintaining mental wellbeing in this demanding field. Knowing the significant stressors - from work overload to the silent suffering of young doctors - allows for proactive steps to be taken towards stress management.
Visualising wellness, as discussed, provides a powerful tool for self-assessment and goal setting. By bringing invisible stress levels to light, health care professionals can gain control over their wellbeing, making informed decisions that improve health and productivity.
It's essential to remember that while stress is an inherent part of the healthcare profession, it doesn't have to dictate your life or compromise your ability to provide excellent patient care. Regular self-care practices, seeking help when needed, and implementing stress management strategies are integral to staying resilient in these challenges.
So, as we conclude, remember: you're not alone in this journey. Reach out, share your experiences, and let's work together to create a healthier, more supportive environment for all health care professionals. After all, those who dedicate their lives to healing others deserve nothing less than a healthy and balanced professional life themselves.
I encourage everyone to embrace the power of asking for help. The form of assistance doesn't matter –what's important is that you take the initiative. It could be a game-changer for your mental health and general wellbeing.
Unlock Your Wellness Potential:
A Deep Dive into Self-Understanding with e7D-MarisGraph.
Understanding ourselves is the first crucial step in the pursuit of optimal wellbeing. I'm thrilled to introduce you to an innovative tool that can help you do just that –the e7D-Maris Graph.
The e7D-Maris Graph is a cutting-edge wellness barometer designed to evaluate your wellbeing comprehensively. It assesses eight critical pillars of wellness, such as sexual wellness, willpower, breathing, thoughts, nutrition, sleep, and how well your hydration is, offering valuable insights into your current state of health.
Knowing where you stand in these areas can empower you to take control of your wellbeing, identify areas for improvement, and guide you towards fulfilling your highest potential. Whether you're a wellness beginner or a seasoned pro looking to fine-tune your routine, the e7D-Maris Graph can provide invaluable guidance tailored to your needs.
So, are you ready to dive deeper into your wellness journey? Here's your chance!
Unleash Your Potential with e7D-Maris Graph Now! FREE
Take the e7D-Maris Graph test today, better understand your wellbeing, and start your journey towards a healthier, more balanced life. Be sure to discover your strengths and areas for growth.
Your path to optimal wellness is just a click away. Uncover your wellness scores and unlock your full potential today!
To your health and success,
The e7D team.
Resources
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Stress at Work ↩
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), "Stress at Work",
Occupational stress among workers in the health service in Zimbabwe: causes, consequences and interventions ↩ ↩2
The stress of medical practitioners in the private healthcare industry ↩
Heavy metal associated health hazards: An interplay of oxidative stress and signal transduction ↩
Comments