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Physician Wellness

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  3. Physician Wellness
physician using a screen in the emergency room

May 2023 Wellness Corner: Update on the “Breaking the Rules for Better Care” pilot project

The International “Break the Rules for Better Care” Week ran this year from Feb 13-17. This is an initiative run in 20+ countries annually, coordinated by the Institute for Health Care Improvement, and it is a time to ask staff a somewhat offbeat question: “If you could break any rule in the service of a better experience for patients or your co-workers, what would it be, and why?” 

This year, all staff in the KGH ED and HDH UCC were invited to participate as a pilot study for KHSC. We advertised the program for two weeks in advance, and it was promoted by nursing and physician leaders during morning huddles and casual hallway conversations. The survey was sent out via email, and QR codes linking to the survey were posted around the department for the week. ( As an aside, this turned out to be a camaraderie builder, as younger staff were seen teaching older staff how to use QR codes :) )

The response was truly fantastic: within the first 12 hours, we had 52 responses! By the end of the week, we had 170 responses, many with multiple suggestions. These were analyzed & combined into 127 rules: 55 rules pertained to both sites; 60 to KGH & 12 to HDH.

What was instantly clear was just how deeply the ED/UCC staff care about making things better for patients, families and their colleagues. This is even more remarkable given the current clinical conditions. Even in this unprecedented state of extreme crowding, our staff remain engaged and hopeful that things can be better. 

So what was the number one rule? Drinking water at the desk rather than at hydration stations! There were 15 separate comments about this! 

Other themes that came through: 

  • rules related to patient comfort, often for our more vulnerable patients: providing extra food; spare clothes to go; extra dressing supplies; phone chargers; PJ pants; waiting room TV. 
  • processes that may interfere with efficient admission flow: report, transfer sheets
  • rules related to ergonomics: standing mats, desks, chairs, computers, bedside cart design, hallway crowding
  • rules related to building camaraderie: staff pot-lucks and break room gathering

We have lots of information to work with. Over the next month and with the support of IHI and the KHSC ED/UCC team, we will identify some easy wins and other priority rules to clarify, redesign and advocate for improvement. Some things will be too big or too hard to fix just yet, but with everyone’s input maybe we can make some things a little bit better. And that’s a start.  A truly huge thank you to all staff for sharing their ideas so honestly and for their amazing willingness to engage and hope for better. Way to go, rule breakers!

Read more...
physicians walking and talking in hospital hallway

March 2023 Wellness Corner: Update from the Physician Wellness Advisory Committee

Here are a few things the Physician Wellness Advisory Committee is working on.

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female physician smiling with female patient

February 2023 Wellness Corner: new wellness initiative in the Emergency Department

Department of Emergency Medicine's Dr. Louise Rang introduces the "breaking the rules for better care" program being encouraged for physicians in the Emergency Department this month.

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male physician looking at a tablet

December 2022 Wellness Corner - IT improvements at our hospitals

The IT Departments at all hospitals are listening to our feedback and working to address tech issues.

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two people running in a field

September 2022 Wellness Corner: We need your recommendations!

With the school year starting, what are you listening to, watching and reading to keep up with your mental wellness?

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group of people arm in arm smiling

July 2022 Wellness Corner: Enjoy your summer!

Read a message from Physician Wellness Lead Dr. Melanie Jaeger

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physician looking out of a window

January 2022 Wellness Corner: Learn about the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention-including a whole food plant-based eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection-as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease.

Read more...
physicians in a group

October 2021 Wellness Corner: Physician Wellness Advisory Committee adopts model of physician wellness

Having a conceptual model for Physician Wellness is important to illustrate and communicate the organization’s overarching vision, as well as to focus strategies for addressing wellbeing. There are many models used successfully in various organizations, and after discussion, the Physician Wellness Advisory Committee agreed to adopt the Stanford Model of Professional FulfillmentTM as it best reflects our vision for wellness.

Read more...
two physicians shaking hands across a table

September 2021 Wellness Corner: Celebrating the ICU team

Watch a video of appreciation for the KHSC Critical Care Program.

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Speaker Series

Headshot of Dr. Beth Frates

"PAVING the Path to Wellness" with Dr. Beth Frates

Headshot of Dr. Mel Lewis

"Medicine: Renovating Toxic Culture" with Dr. Melanie Lewis

Headshot of Dr. Rachele Pojednic

"Resilient Bodies: Exercise, Nutrition & Sleep for Physicians in a Challenging Time" with Dr. Rachele Pojednic

  • Physician Wellness Advisory Committee and Strategy
  • Our Wellness Framework

Resources

Resource Type
Playlist: Summer 2022 Chill Tunes
Playlist: Summer 2023 By the Dock
Podcast: Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson
Podcast: Brené Brown - Unlocking Us & Dare to Lead
Podcast: CMA - Sound Mind
Podcast: Dr. Mamta Gautam on physician health and wellbeing
Podcast: Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat
Podcast: Physician Burnout - Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Podcast: WellDoc Alberta Physician Wellness
Queen's Employee Assistance Program
Quiet Kit App
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Conversations with Jillian: Interview with Dr. Damon Dagnone and Dr. Jillian Horton
Stress and Medical Malpractice: Organizational Risk Assessment and Intervention
Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout
Ted Talk: Burnout is everyone's problem
Ted Talk: Career decline isn't inevitable
The Art and Science of Compassion, A Primer. Reflections of a Physician-Chaplain by Dr. Agnes Wong
The Business Case for Investing in Physician Wellbeing
The Interplay Between Teamwork, Clinicians’ Emotional Exhaustion, and Clinician-Rated Patient Safety: A Longitudinal Study
The Relationship Between Professional Burnout and Quality and Safety in Healthcare: A Meta-Analysis
The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Positivity and Strengths-Based Approaches at Work
There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing

Pagination

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Events

group of physicians celebrating and clapping

Save the date: SEAMO's 30th anniversary party

20 June, 2024 at 5:00pm–7:00pm

Stay tuned for more information!

About SEAMO

The Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO) supports more than 450 physicians in our region. We manage the alternative funding plan agreement.

Funding Model

Our alternative funding model makes it possible to offer world-class education, unique research opportunities, and exceptional clinical services in Southeastern Ontario.

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