Latest news with #emergencyphysician
Fast Company
02-07-2025
- Health
- Fast Company
I'm an emergency doctor who knows burnout firsthand. Here's why every industry should be paying attention
One of medicine's harder lessons about burnout and mental health might be the most urgently needed by every industry right now. As an emergency physician who also did four years of surgical residency training, I witnessed firsthand how the grueling training that medical residents face, coupled with a tough-it-out attitude, can cause silent suffering—and sometimes with deadly consequences. Often it is the institutional stigma that prevents doctors from seeking help. Physician burnout is a systemic, not individual, failure, and its prevalence has been growing. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the pandemic increased physician burnout to an all-time high, due to the grief, isolation, and psychological pressures. Physician Suicide: The Tip of the Iceberg Studies show physician suicides are among the highest of any profession. For men, it's 40% higher than the general population, and for women, it's up to 130% higher. Seeking mental health support is still seen as a risk—not to our well-being, but to our careers. Often there are fears of career consequences if we speak candidly about our mental health. Plus, issues related to licensing and credentialing processes often exacerbate this silence. Inside the industry, there's the subtle implication that physicians with any mental health issue might not be fit to practice. And it's a tragic irony, as we spend our careers advocating for our patients' mental health but often are too afraid to address our own. ER Violence: Another Burnout Contributor Burnout isn't only due to emotional exhaustion and stress. It can also be fueled by daily threats and obstacles that can strip away our dignity. Violence against healthcare staff, especially in emergency departments, is escalating. A 2024 poll from the American College of Emergency physicians (ACEP) found more than 90% of emergency physicians report being threatened or attacked in the past year. These incidents carry more than physical harm: 85% of physicians cite emotional trauma and anxiety, and 89% say their productivity has been impacted by it. Every assault is another blow to the emotional well-being of physicians, as well as affecting the quality of care for patients, too. And it shows up beyond medicine, too: in industries where plenty physical labor is involved—say, service, hospitality, or event execution—a lack of safety protocols can knock down emotional well-being for workers. Insurance Battles: An Administrative Avalanche Healthcare professionals spend up to two hours on clerical work for every clinical hour, driven largely by paperwork, billing, and prior authorizations, which has increased steadily over time. According to an AMA survey, this added burden of prior authorization is contributing to physician burnout. But additionally, we also worry about pre-authorization and its often-associated denials. About 94% of medical professionals surveyed reported it negatively impacts patient care. Excessive administrative work and burden is strongly correlated with burnout, but also stress-related health problems. And it's not only in healthcare: it's also seen in plenty of other industries, from finance to business to tech. Resilience Culture: Shifting Leadership from Stoic to Supportive In healthcare 'resilience' is seen as a badge of honor, entailed by pushing through grueling shifts, making life-or-death decisions, and walking out with a composed face. But true resilience is built on having support, empowerment, and trust. Resilience does not mean invulnerability. But medicine's history has taught us that psychological safety matters more than invulnerability. Creating a psychologically safe environment—where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be vulnerable without fear of negative consequences—is more important than maintaining a facade of control. In healthcare, psychological safety is crucial for open communication, error reporting, and team collaboration, ultimately benefiting patient care. And it applies to every industry. Credibility in leadership cannot be built on denial of stress; teams led by emotionally intelligent, vulnerable leaders perform better. Trauma-informed care is a model that originated in medicine and mental health but has profound implications for any workplace. It prioritizes trust, empathy, and empowerment, thereby improving outcomes for patients and providers alike. It influences how individuals interact, communicate, and respond to challenges at work. Adopting trauma-informed principles of safety, empowerment, and collaboration can benefit any workplace, replacing isolation with solidarity. Small Shifts with Big Impact Corporations, law firms, schools, and more could learn from emergency departments. It's important to acknowledge risks, measure physical and emotional safety, empower employees to help shape the system, and make sure your leaders are connected to their people. Burnout is not a character flaw. It's an organizational and occupational hazard. When violence, paperwork, and isolation compound high-stakes fields, emotional safety can be the difference between thriving or breaking. Medicine is slowly proving it's possible to change through systemic redesign. We don't need more heroes who suffer in silence. We need systems that listen, leaders who care, and cultures that heal instead of harm. If medicine, one of the most tradition-bound professions, can begin to change, so can everyone else.
Al Jazeera
25-06-2025
- Health
- Al Jazeera
In Gaza, 'illusion of humanitarianism' is new phase in genocide
In Gaza, 'illusion of humanitarianism' is new phase in genocide Quotable Dr James Smith says Gaza's aid crisis is dire, with people killed daily at militarised distribution sites. Dr James Smith, an emergency physician, describes the aid situation in Gaza, where the Israeli military is killing people every day as they seek aid from US-backed distribution sites. Video Duration 01 minutes 11 seconds 01:11 Video Duration 00 minutes 44 seconds 00:44 Video Duration 01 minutes 17 seconds 01:17 Video Duration 01 minutes 06 seconds 01:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 28 seconds 01:28 Video Duration 01 minutes 48 seconds 01:48 Video Duration 00 minutes 50 seconds 00:50
Wall Street Journal
03-06-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
A Doctor vs. the Hospital Lobby on Medicaid
Regarding your editorial 'The Medicaid Scare Campaign' (May 27): I've dealt with this issue after having practiced emergency medicine for more than 30 years in the once Golden State of California. I work in a less affluent urban area of a generally affluent county. In my last two shifts, I saw five new immigrants, all covered by 'Emergency Medi-Cal'—the state's version of Medicaid—for nonemergent conditions. Four arrived by ambulance for drug- or alcohol-related problems, and another had dental issues, having never been seen by a dentist in her home country. One of them asked for a 'general checkup' at midnight once he sobered up. California started by offering prenatal care to immigrant mothers many years ago, in the hope this would improve maternal and pediatric outcomes. The Democratic Legislature rapidly expanded that coverage to all for emergencies, while ignoring the high cost of care in the emergency departments vs. that of clinics. The general public doesn't comprehend the concept of true emergencies, and my state has become a magnet for people seeking all the free stuff.
Globe and Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Accidents happen – but these five rules will help keep you out of the ER
Ask a Doctor is a new series of physician-authored columns offering insights and advice on common health topics. It is not a substitute for seeking medical care. A crowded hospital emergency department is one place you don't want to end up, whether for yourself or a family member. As an emergency physician, I see firsthand how stressful and frightening a visit to the ED can be for patients. While some ED visits cannot be avoided, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of needing emergency medical care. Here are five habits I advise to help keep you healthy and out of the ED. 1. Wear a helmet Many ED visits are caused by preventable injuries. According to Parachute, a national charity dedicated to injury prevention, injuries led to 4.6 million emergency department visits in Canada in 2018. A good-quality, well-fitted helmet can help reduce many injuries. Most people associate helmets with bicycles, and with good reason. Using bicycle helmets reduces head injuries by more than 40 per cent, serious head injuries by 60 per cent and traumatic brain injury by more than 50 per cent. But helmets can and should be used beyond biking, too. My rule? If an activity is faster than walking and your feet aren't on the ground, wear an appropriate helmet. This includes obvious activities such as rollerblading and skateboarding, but many people forget about helmets for scooters, horseback riding and snow sports (including sledding!). Certain sports, such as hockey, football and rugby, appropriately require helmets for protection. 2. Don't drink and … … drive, yes – but also so many other things. Alcohol has dramatic effects on the brain, including impaired balance, co-ordination, speech, reaction time, memory and judgment. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, alcohol harm is a leading cause of injury and death in Canada. Drinking and driving is widely recognized as dangerous, but unfortunately, the same caution often isn't applied to other risky scenarios. If you've been drinking, avoid swimming or water sports, climbing to heights or operating anything motorized. You probably shouldn't be chopping vegetables either. 3. Get your shots Vaccines save lives – and emergency department visits. Routine childhood vaccinations protect against diseases such as measles, meningitis and pneumonia, which can lead to severe complications or even death. The recent increase in measles cases in parts of Canada and the United States, mostly in unimmunized individuals, is a reminder of how crucial vaccination is. Vaccination for respiratory viruses such as the flu is also important. As previously reported by The Globe and Mail, hundreds of thousands fewer Canadians received flu shots this respiratory virus season than last season. This places added strain on the health care system, including increasing emergency department visits for flu-related complications, often requiring hospitalization. And don't forget additional vaccinations that may be recommended when travelling internationally. Consult with a travel clinic or your primary-care provider several weeks before departure to ensure you're protected. 4. Go for regular checkups Regular checkups with your primary-care provider can help detect silent conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, before they escalate into emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes. In addition, screening for cancers such as breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer can be lifesaving. Early detection dramatically improves prognosis, but sadly, many people only receive a diagnosis in the ED once the disease has already advanced to the point where it is causing acute symptoms. Ask your doctor what screening might be right for you. For the millions of Canadians currently without a family doctor, however, access to preventive care is a challenge. And research suggests that many health concerns that could be handled by a primary-care provider are landing people in the hospital instead. According to CIHI, across Canada, 15 per cent of visits to emergency departments between April, 2023, and March, 2024, were for conditions that could potentially have been managed in primary care. If you don't have regular access to a family doctor, check with your provincial physician regulatory college for doctors accepting patients. You can also look for a registered nurse practitioner as part of a team-based clinic. If you rely on walk-in clinics for non-urgent care, consider visiting the same one each time for continuity. 5. Wash your hands and don't touch your face This simple habit can help keep your whole family healthy and out of the ED. Many common viruses are spread by touching an infected surface, then inadvertently transferring germs to the mouth, nose or eyes. Handwashing not only prevents illness for you, it also reduces spread to others. If sick individuals were diligent about washing their hands, virus transmission would drop dramatically. In my house, we have a non-negotiable rule: Everyone washes their hands as soon as they walk in the front door. Sure, my kids complain every single time, but being sick is the worst so we make sure to follow this rule. When I'm out and about, I keep small bottles of hand sanitizer in my bags for situations when soap and water aren't readily available. A friendly reminder: Hand sanitizer doesn't work against norovirus, so soap and water are best. Dr. Shazma Mithani is an emergency physician working with adult and pediatric patients in Edmonton. She is dedicated to health education, advocacy and strengthening the public health care system for all. Dr. Mithani is actively involved with the Canadian Medical Association, Alberta Medical Association and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. She is also the co-host of The Doc Talk Podcast and a frequent media commentator.
