Identify stressors. Use self-report questionnaires and collegial discussions to assess for the presence and/or severity of burnout. Prevention and/or intervention at personal and organizational levels can positively impact physician well-being.4
Focus on self-care. Prioritize your personal health care, sleep hygiene, exercise routines, quality of diet, and recreational activities. Do not self-prescribe medications, and avoid excessive alcohol use.5
Make changes to your practice. In your office, make efforts to maximize social connectiveness. Consider assigning routine tasks to other staff members. Upgrading your typing skills, employing medical records scribes, and/or using voice recording systems can reduce your workload.5
Advocate for better legislation. Both through professional medical organizations and at government levels, work to modify regulations that require physicians to spend their time on nonclinical tasks. This might include advocating to simplify EHRs and insurance company reimbursement requirements to decrease paperwork and reduce barriers to prescribing. Stress management seminars, which typically are offered at state and national conferences, can foster interpersonal and professional competencies throughout one’s medical career.6 Medical licensure boards should make efforts to reduce the stigma of reporting mental health issues; they should assure confidentiality protection and help for those who seek assistance.5