How Physicians Can Combat Burnout & Improve Mental Wellbeing

“There’s still a huge stigma with physicians around mental health,” says Dr. Daniel Dodek. “Part of our culture is to try to be superhuman.”1

To those who read his helpful advice in the Fast Facts newsletter, the Vancouver-based family physician is known simply as ‘Dr. Dan’. As we observe Mental Health Week, we asked Dr. Dodek why so many health care professionals suffer from burnout and what can be done about it.

Physicians and Healthcare Workers Suffer from Burnout

Asked whether mental health is a topic of concern in the medical community, Dr. Dodek cites a 2021 study conducted by the Canadian Medical Association. The study found that nearly 50% of physicians were experiencing burnout. He believes that the grind of the job is a contributing factor.

“One of the biggest issues is just the amount of time we spend documenting and charting electronic health records,” he says. “They were supposed to improve efficiency, but instead it’s increased workload.”

Doctors Unwilling to Show Vulnerability

“Most doctors are compassionate people,” opines Dr. Dodek, “but we’re not compassionate to ourselves.”

He believes that most people are better at offering advice to others than to themselves, calling it a part of the human condition.

“Physicians don’t have compassion for ourselves because our training sucks it out of us,” he adds. “We feel as though we can’t get sick, we can’t feel anxious, and we can’t show weakness or vulnerability.”

Dr. Dodek observes that physicians will often deny themselves basic things like bathroom or lunch breaks, feeling as though there’s too much on the line.

“We need to be on our game in order to help patients,” he says. “So many people are depending on us.”

Physicians Should Discuss Mental Health

Dr. Dodek sees that physicians are becoming increasingly willing to discuss mental health, but feels that more progress is needed.

“We are somewhat comfortable talking about burnout, because it’s not actually classified as a mental illness by the WHO, but as an occupational hazard,” he notes, adding, “it certainly puts people at increased risk of depression and anxiety.”

New Physicians Are Vulnerable to Mental Health Issues

Studies show that physicians experience the highest rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout during the first five years of practice. Dr. Dodek admits that he was no exception.

“Those years were personally challenging for me, with the amount of learning, starting a family, and opening a new practice,” he says.

Dr. Dodek explains that he benefitted from the advice of an older physician who became an informal mentor to him.

“I was just starting out with my family,” he recalls. “His kids were already teenagers, so it was nice to be able to have conversations from that perspective.”

The Importance of Community and Support Networks

Physicians who are feeling overwhelmed should know that others feel the same way. Dr. Dodek believes that support networks are fundamental to mental wellbeing.

“Shared experiences help us remember that we’re not alone,” he says. “It’s a stressful job, but you’re not the only one who finds it challenging.”

Dr. Dodek works in an office with nine other healthcare professionals. He says that the team shares stories and helps one another out, something he finds valuable.

Dr. Dodek references the Netflix documentary ‘Blue Zones’, which details geographic areas of the planet where people are most likely to reach 100 years of age.

“One of the common bonds is a strong sense of community,” he explains. “Having people that you can be vulnerable and share your feelings with is super important.”

Dr. Dodek points to resources which are available to physicians (listed below), and urges them to take advantage of them.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis,” he says. “If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed there are programs you can access.”

Sharing the Burden Provides Stress Relief for Physicians

In addition to sharing feelings, Dr. Dodek believes that sharing the workload through team-based care is helpful, when possible.

He says that his team enjoys access to a Registered Nurse and Interprofessional Team supports through the Primary Care Networks.

“I can offer these wonderful services to patients and I don’t feel like I have this heavy burden to do everything,” he says. “I wish I’d had that earlier in my career.”

Balanced Lifestyles for Physicians

In addition to sharing thoughts and tasks, Dr. Dodek urges his fellow physicians to seek a well-balanced lifestyle. He lists exercise, time in nature, and participation in a writing group among the things that bring him joy. He also draws inspiration from the daily interactions he has with patients.

“I appreciate connections that are built through face to face conversations,” he says. “When I come home at the end of the day it’s not the test results or prescriptions that I remember, but the people and their stories.”

It’s Okay for Physicians to Not be Perfect

More than anything, Dr. Dodek wants physicians to feel free to be human.

“I wish I’d learned about the idea of imposter syndrome earlier in my career,” he says. “I wish I’d known that I don’t have to be a perfectionist and that it’s okay to ask for help.”

Cited Sources

1 Direct Communication with Dr. Daniel Dodek

Resources for Physicians

Dr. Dan’s Wellness Tips

Vancouver Division of Family Practice Physician Peer Support

Canadian Medical Association Physician Wellness Hub

B.C. Physician Health Program

Mind Space British Columbia Skills for Wellbeing