Zulma Tovar-Spinoza MD MBA FAANS FCNS’ Post

Addressing a critical gap: caring for the mental health of those who care for us This morning we came across an interesting article from Medical Xpress underscores an urgent, yet often overlooked, issue – the mental health crisis among our healthcare providers. It outlined research – led by experts at the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Michigan – which highlighted the toll that unmanageable workloads, systemic pressures, and limited support take on the very individuals we rely on for our mental and physical wellbeing. For physicians, the demands are relentless. The findings show that an overwhelming workload not only heightens stress and exhaustion but also leads to higher rates of depression and burnout – especially during critical early years in their careers. Furthermore, underrepresented groups in medicine, including women and minorities, often face unique stressors such as discrimination and inadequate support for family or caregiving responsibilities, exacerbating this mental health burden. We must begin to address these realities by investing more in targeted interventions like policies that reduce workload, protect time for mental health treatment, and support diversity and inclusion. This isn’t just about supporting individual healthcare providers; it’s about ensuring the stability of our healthcare system. A mentally resilient workforce is foundational to providing the high-quality care patients need and deserve. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eNQUKT6j #HealthcareWellbeing #MentalHealthInMedicine #SupportingPhysicians . . . . Paul Flynn | Janine McNab | Farrukh Alam | Shahira Kamal | Natasha Walker | Carolina Guariniello | Kimberly Clarke | Nicky Bryant | Tim R. | John Felgate | Chris John | Tom Drake | Miranda Marsh | Deborah Casserly | Dr. Manan Thakrar

Healthcare providers carry so much more than their clinical responsibilities - they hold the wellbeing of countless individuals. The article below acts as a sobering reminder that mental health support for physicians is essential, not optional. Every measure we take to support them helps safeguard the future of compassionate, effective healthcare. A topic worth reflecting on.

Patients are paying more for healthcare but receiving less in return. Costs are soaring, yet wait times to see physicians are growing longer, and the time spent with each provider is shrinking. A recent Axios survey revealed that nearly 20% of patients had to wait over two months to see a primary care doctor or specialist. Specialties with particularly long wait times include neurology and ear, nose, and throat (both at 26%), psychiatry (20%), and OB/GYN (17%). Primary care wait times are at 19%. As patient numbers rise, many doctors are leaving the field due to burnout or early retirement. #healthcare #employeebenefits #primarycare #healthcarecosts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alera Group is one of the top Employee Benefits Consulting firms in the country. DM me "HEALTHCARE" to learn more or for an initial consultation and review of your employee benefits program.

I’m happy to announce the publication of our latest research on work-related pain within the UK’s early years workforce. In collaboration with David Sheffield and Lorna Taylor, this article explores the links between physically demanding roles and the incidence of pain, and how this impacts staff retention and sick leave.   Key findings include:              •          A significant 98% of participants experience some form of long-term work-related pain.              •          The longer someone works in Early Years, the more likely they are to report multiple pain sites, regardless of age.              •          Higher physical demands correlate with greater pain levels.              •          Experience of work-related pain contributes to increased sick leave and the consideration of leaving the sector. The full article is available via open access here: https://lnkd.in/eEm4cCXY This research is part of project SMARTey, which aims to promote good physical health in the early years workforce through ongoing research, education and training initiatives. More information is available about the project via this link: https://lnkd.in/eVXiahqS   This project has also been kindly supported by the Early Years Alliance and National Education Union

Reading this article was a reminder of how crucial it is to break down the barriers preventing women from accessing digital health tools. So many of us struggle with low digital literacy or limited access to affordable devices, especially when it comes to areas like gynecology, obstetrics, and mental health. This is exactly why one of CRIADOs goals is to make smart health technology more accessible and provide the education women need to take full control of their well-being. We believe that by spreading knowledge and tools, we can empower women to thrive. Let’s bridge the gap together.

“we hope that the software has helped you and we look forward to you increasing your productivity and your number of patients seen in a day. Our goal would be to increase your daily patient list at least by four patients.” One of our biggest fears of any efficiency gain is the subsequent demand to increase volume. That's the only way this stuff becomes a productivity gain whether you're FFS or Value-based (euphemism for capitation/at-risk). The initial promise is to reduce burnout and time charting. But eventually, the admins, consultants, and PE owners will see excess capacity and squeeze us for more. This is AI in outpatient medicine if nothing else changes. Beware and follow the incentives. https://lnkd.in/gmhPf-nN

Edit: To be clear, this is the first time I’ve seen a hospital system suggest something like this with the AI scribes. Across our communities, doctors have been raving about the implementation of AI scribes in their systems and their contribution to well-being. It’s by far the most popular and effective measure we’ve seen to truly combat physician burnout, and I truly think that most systems have done it right, understanding the need to make strides in physician wellness and career longevity as shortages amplify. My intent in posting this instance was not to say that this is the norm, but rather that this is what we need to avoid. Let’s keep AI scribes for their intended purpose - a way to give clinicians more time with their patients and families! - 70% of physicians wouldn’t recommend a career in medicine to their children. - Research shows that PCPs need 27 hours in a day to provide guideline-recommended care. - Studies show that up to 27% of physicians are considering leaving medicine in the next 2 years. This is the time to take something off the plate of clinicians, not put more on it. Sharing (with permission) this post from one of our online physician communities at Physician Side Gigs last night. This was the first time I'd seen this suggested 🤦♀️ , and hopefully the last. I’ve been working on issues related to physician career longevity and the physician shortage for almost a decade now, and while I’ve seen many proposed solutions & pitch decks that claim to address physician burnout, there are very few I've believed would actually move the needle. Last year, #GenAI and AI scribing solutions hit the main stage. Finally, a product that both allowed physicians to regain time, while also allowing them to focus on the heart of what they love about medicine, the patient-physician relationship. When Shivdev Rao asked me to join the advisory board of Abridge over a year ago, I quickly said yes, because I actually believed their product was addressing some of the core reasons we see physicians leaving medicine, with a physician-led team that truly prioritizes clinician wellbeing. Since we first brought the product to our ~200,000 physician members, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. One said they actually cried when they used it for the 1st time. Another said it saved their marriage. Another said they left work for the 1st time in years with their notes done. Another said it reminded them what they loved about medicine. You get the picture. I won’t name the system where the physician who posted this works, because that’s not my style, but if any of you are in healthcare administration, I implore you not to use these products to mandate increases in visits. These tools were created (and are working!) to give clinicians time back with their families and loved ones. Let’s use GenAI to make positive changes and give the clinician workforce the win they so desperately need. #HealthcareOnLinkedIn #PhysicianBurnout

Some gauche hospital administrator accidently said (wrote) the quiet part out loud. The intended purpose of scribes always was to cram in more patients per hour, not to reduce #burnout. This is a repeat of what happened to clinical care via #EHR. No matter what you hear about #valuebasedcare, #healthcare remains a volume-based business. With the penetration of #privateequity in healthcare, including into the #safetynet, #Medicaid, and #Medicare, that is even more so. In my #MBA, our #healthcare assignments were either #optimization of clinic throughout for #efficiency and revenue or #pricing to increase #revenue. At no point was any assignment “optimize for clinician well being.” Add: When there was differentiation between doctors, nurses, etc, each was an important “human resource” that had to be maintained. With interchangeable “provider” where 15 years of education & training can be replaced by 2-4, then administrators have no incentive to reduce burnout. Like disposable plastic forks at a picnic, hospitals feel even more comfortable treating a “provider” like a replaceable cog: wear out and replace. Clinicians need to stop falling for being free internal consultants for #healthtech that worsens our wellbeing. If they want/need your time, expertise, insights, then negotiate a meaningful role where you have influence or control over the KPIs and metrics of success of that #tech to ensure humans - patients and clinicians - are served.

Understanding the emotional processes of individuals and providing compassionate care has been identified as vital in supporting both patients and their caregivers, said Dr Juliet Mathew. The Director of the Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre at IMU University noted that in healthcare, it is crucial to recognise that not everyone experiences illness or grief in the same way, and thus a tailored approach to care is essential. Dr Mathew emphasised the importance of addressing the unique emotional stages individuals go through, such as denial, shock and mourning. “Compassion is more than just a word; it’s a deep wish to reduce the suffering of another," she explained, referencing the views of the Dalai Lama. She said this during the Women’s Institute of Management (WIM) Mental Health Forum 2024 on Saturday (Oct 12) at Wisma WIM. Also present was the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim. According to Dr Mathew, this understanding forms the foundation of patient care, where empathy and effective communication can help guide both patients and their families through challenging times. In her discussion on medical ethics, Dr Mathew highlighted the core principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. She stated that these principles are essential in ensuring patients are respected, particularly concerning their autonomy, which is their right to be informed about their condition and to make decisions based on that knowledge. Balancing the concerns of family members with the patient’s wishes can be delicate, but ultimately, the patient’s autonomy must take precedence, the senior lecturer added. Dr Mathew also underscored the need to address patients' spiritual needs. Drawing from her experience with end-of-life care, she noted that many patients grapple with spiritual questions that need to be recognised and explored to ease their emotional burden. This holistic approach to care not only provides comfort to patients but also to their families, fostering a sense of peace during difficult moments, she explained. Dr Mathew highlighted the often-overlooked role of caregivers, many of whom experience tremendous stress and emotional strain. Research, according to her, shows that 25% of caregivers suffer from clinical depression and anxiety, with female caregivers particularly vulnerable due to having fewer social resources and higher levels of stress. Dr Mathew called for caregivers to be treated with the same compassion as patients, stressing the importance of providing them with the support and respite they need to maintain their mental and physical well-being. “Communication plays a pivotal role in both patient and caregiver support,” she said. Dr Mathew urged healthcare professionals to practise empathetic listening, being present in conversations without rushing to respond. #medicolegal #healthcare #mlsm

Human ressources are the most precious component of the healthcare system, and must be preserved. Physicians, and more generally all healthcare workers, are at risk of distress caused by the work conditions, leading to burnout and/or depression. Efficient interventions to assure physicians' well-being must be implemented, to preserve this ressource and guarantee that healthcare can be delivered with high quality (and appropriate access) in the future, as human touch is at least as important as technological tools. As discussed in this interesting NEJM paper, workload reduction has only a low impact and is therefore not sufficient. Global improvement of working conditions aiming to secure a positive work-life balance must be a priority. In the end, we will all benefit from this measures, as we will probably all be patients one day ...