Q: Are certain areas of medicine at greater risk for stress and burnout? A: Yes, certain fields are more prone to being stressed. Those include the emergency department and surgery, because the hours, intensity and acuity of patients are so much higher now. I’ve also worked with physicians in obstetrics/gynecology.Read More

Got five minutes? That’s all it takes to short-circuit your stress, at least for a while, says Peter Moskowitz, MD, executive director, Center for Professional and Personal Renewal, Palo Alto, Calif. He recommends developing a tool box of quick stress relievers. Then when you’re feeling stressed, take a five-minute timeRead More

One stressed-out physician told Deb Wood, PhD, that she began to close her office door “because people were bothering me.” While that might be a great way to find some peace and quiet, if you’re used to an open door policy at work, closing it can start up the rumorRead More

Q: I’m having a family crisis and it’s causing me huge stress. How should I handle this at work? A: Don’t abandon work without explanation or a coverage plan. Discuss the situation immediately with your partners or work supervisor and work out a plan to cover clinical responsibilities while youRead More

Q: I’m an older physician. Is it my imagination, or is it tougher for me to find work-life balance than younger physicians? A: Yes, it is more difficult for you. For more seasoned physicians like you, your careers were your lives. As a group, you’re more used to working 60Read More

If you’ve ever thought you have it bad at your workplace, you might want to check out the blog a surgeon posted on the ways a previous employer can make sure it is the worst place to work. The blog, which was posted on the Web site Social Media andRead More

The boom in quality measures has many physicians worried about the impact on quality of care, but fewer have problems with health care IT systems. That’s according a new survey conducted by the Commonwealth Foundation and the Kaiser Family Foundation. The survey found that half of physicians think that theRead More

Q: I’m overwhelmed by communication. The phone is always ringing, and everyone is always interrupting me. It’s stressful! How can I handle this better? A: What you’re describing is the struggle of constant availability. I got rid of my pager and my iPhone is generally on do not disturb. PeopleRead More

Your overloaded schedule, your constantly ringing phone: stressors you are all too aware of. But there may be others that you’re not addressing because you’re not even aware of them. Here are three of those hidden stressors, according to Peter Moskowitz, MD, executive director, Center for Professional and Personal Renewal,Read More

Your colleague hasn’t been acting like herself. What should you do? Approach her, especially if patient safety is an issue, says David Frenz, MD, medical director of mental health and addiction care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul. Be direct and specific but don’t take on the role ofRead More