Staying well during the year end rush

For doctors, the end of the year can be demanding. Doctors’ Health Fund recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Josephine Braid, a Councillor with the Medical Benevolent Association, who shared her advice on how doctors can stay well and balance competing priorities during this busy time of year.

As the year accelerates towards the last day in December, there is often a sense of increased pressure both within and outside of work. Patients are keen to fit in their final appointments before the quiet period in January, and for doctors with families there are often more commitments in the summer months.

Looking after oneself during this time helps us to be present with our patients, have energy in the tank when we come home, and manage family interactions that come with the summer holidays.

Our brains like small consistent actions rather than grand gestures. Suggestions for small ways to include wellbeing during your clinical day include:

1. Mindset: Be intentional about how you want to approach the day: calm, grounded, compassionate, connected. Start the day feeling a sense of control of your emotions.
2. Movement: rather than a block of exercise, do some movement between patients to discharge cortisol from your system. Examples include shoulder rolls, a short walk or wall squat.
3. Mindfulness: Close your eyes and take three deep breaths in through your nose, and with a long exhale through your mouth. This helps engage your parasympathetic nervous system and reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
4. Self-Compassion: As clinicians we can be compassionate towards our patients, however sometimes less so towards ourselves. Remember you are a human in this healthcare system and treat yourself as you would a good friend with self-compassion. Notice your inner dialogue and aim to shift it away from your inner critic towards your inner coach.
5. Support: Connect with someone you trust on a regular basis – a quick call or regular time to send a message. Support is not a luxury – it is a necessity for sustainable practice.

Outside of work, our wellbeing matters too, and family holidays can be stressful when you are doctor in the family. Having clear boundaries can help here:

1. Time: The boundary of protected personal time is crucial: “Unless it’s truly urgent, please save medical questions for when I can give them proper attention, not at dinner or before bed.” Constant switching between “doctor mode” and “family mode” prevents genuine rest and contributes to burnout.
2. Medical requests: Have a clear succinct response to family queries on medical issues for example “I’m your family member first, not your doctor”. It is important that family members have their own medical practitioner – including you – who they can see in confidence and impartiality. We can be well placed to support our family members in finding a good practitioner.
3. When ageing parents need care, families often assume the doctor in the family will naturally take the lead on researching facilities, coordinating specialists and managing medical decisions. A protective boundary is “I’m happy to attend key appointments and help interpret medical information, but I need others to share the logistical and decision-making load.”

The Medical Benevolent Association of NSW-ACT supports doctors and their families, who are experiencing a significant life challenge or adversity, with the overall aim of their timely return to wellbeing and independence. Read more here

As part of the Avant Group, Doctors’ Health Fund is focused on supporting doctors through their lives and careers. To access key support services, including information on health and wellbeing, please visit https://avant.org.au/health-and-wellbeing.

Biography

Dr. Jo Braid is a seasoned Rehabilitation Physician with two decades of expertise in neuro-rehabilitation and an award-winning coach dedicated to transforming burnout recovery for healthcare professionals. In addition to her clinical and coaching work, she serves as a Councillor on the Medical Benevolent Association of NSW-ACT and holds a Non-Executive Director position on the Board of the Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand. Based in Orange, she actively engages in her community and hosts The Burnout Recovery podcast, a weekly show that has garnered over 50,000 downloads and reaches listeners across more than 150 countries internationally. Dr. Braid delivers interactive keynotes, tailored coaching, and self-paced online courses. Her passion for mental well-being, combined with her deep understanding of the human brain, empowers individuals to thrive.

Private health insurance products are issued by The Doctors’ Health Fund Pty Limited, ABN 68 001 417 527 (Doctors’ Health Fund), a member of the Avant Mutual Group. Cover is subject to the terms and conditions (including waiting periods, limitations and exclusions) of the individual policy, available at doctorshealthfund.com.au/our-cover