33. Getting help for the medical provider. How do we make it better for those that help us?

Counselors Can Help

Have we ignored the mental health of healthcare workers? They help us but who is helping them? In this show we are talking about professionals that may need a new mental health focus and what that would look like. How can a current medical provider get help now? In this show I talk to Jennifer George. Jennifer is the author of her book Communication is Care, and also the host of the podcast the Healthcare Provider Happy Hour. I am always excited to speak to her since she covers this issue in her book and podcast. See Jennifer at Jennifergeorge.co

In this show we will address

-What is the mental state of many healthcare workers?

-Why do we care about the mental state of healthcare workers?

-Is there a mental health stigma to getting help if you work in the healthcare field?

-Do mental health issues get in the way of patient outcomes?

-What improvements can be made in the system?

-Can we learn from other professions facing similar issues?

-Do healthcare providers suffer from trauma experiences?

-Do healthcare workers get the help they need?

-What elements could be in a future system to support healthcare professionals?

Other thoughts from the show...

A couple of corrections-

1) The definition of emotional exhaustion - it’s when the investment outweighs the reward

2) Nurses are now included in the PTSD legislation in Ontario Canada (since 2017).

Articles to reference -

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_are_so_many_female_doctors_burning_out

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/opinion/doctors-mental-health-stigma.html

https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2589-5370%2821%2900370-9

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/30/opinion/doctors-mental-health-stigma.html