A study in BMJ showed that depressed pediatric residents made 6.2 times as many medication errors as residents who were not depressed. The setting was in 3 urban children’s hospitals in the United States, 20% of the participating residents met the criteria for depression and 74% met the criteria for burnout. Burnout did not correlate with an increased rate of medical errors.According to Newsweek, every year, between 300 and 400 doctors take their own lives—roughly one a day. No other profession has a higher suicide rate.
I have always suspected that happier doctors make for happier patients and a few years ago came up with a mnemonic for a set of well-being practices correlated with the feeling of happiness -- MOTORS -- because the pursuit of happiness, in its altruistic sense, can be the motor of your life.
“MOTORS” stands for:
Meaning --> find a meaning in what you do for a living but don't forget to set limits around it
Outlook --> have a positive outlook on life, be philosophical but also focused on success
Time --> spend quality time with F&F (Family & Friends)
Out of yuppie values --> don't focus on chasing money or prestige
Religious / spiritual practices
Self care practices, like sports or meditation
References:
Rates of medication errors among depressed and burnt out residents: prospective cohort study. Amy M Fahrenkopf et al. BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.39469.763218.BE (published 7 February 2008)
Image source: OpenClipArt.org
Related:
Physicians wellbeing - WJM theme issue, volume 174(1); January 2001.
Six Tips for Happiness by a Harvard Teacher. Clinical Cases and Images - Blog.
Why are doctors so unhappy? Edwin Leap.
Happiness. DB’s Medical Rants, 03/2008.
Doctors Who Kill Themselves. Newsweek, 04/2008.
Updated: 04/21/2008