An exploration of the role of religion/spirituality in the promotion of physicians' wellbeing in Emergency Medicine

Salmoirago‐Blotcher, Elena; Fitchett, George; Leung, Katherine; Volturo, Gregory A.; Boudreaux, Edwin D.; Crawford, Sybil L.; Curlin, Farr A.

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.01.009

Cited by 38 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…This was an unexpected finding, as frequent practice of prayer and mindfulness has been shown to lower perceived stress scores and improve CS scores . Preliminary studies have also suggested a positive effect of religion/spirituality on certain aspects of physician well‐being . While we suspect that our study participants who were more distressed turned to prayer and/or meditation as a coping strategy than individuals with lower CF scores, this is an interesting area that merits further investigation.…”

Section: Cfsupporting

confidence: 43%

A Cross‐sectional Analysis of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States

Gribben

MacLean

Pour

et al. 2019

Academic Emergency Medicine

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Objectives:The objective was to determine the prevalence of compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction (CS) and identify potential personal and professional predictors of these phenomena in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians.Methods: A modified Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Self-Test for Helpers and a questionnaire of personal and professional characteristics were distributed electronically to PEM physicians nationally. The prevalence of these phenomena was calculated. Hierarchical linear regression models for CF, BO, and CS as a function of potential risk factors were constructed. Results:The final analyzable survey rate represented 22.7% of the physicians invited to participate. The prevalences of CF, BO, and CS were 16.4, 21.5, and 18.5%, respectively. BO score, distress about a "clinical situation," "physical work environment," and engaging in prayer/meditation were each significant determinants of higher CF scores, whereas "socializing with family/friends" was significantly associated with lower CF scores. CF score, emotional depletion, and distress due to "coworkers" were each significant determinants of higher BO scores, whereas CS score and "talking with a family member" as a means of self-care were significantly associated with lower BO scores. Socializing with family/friends and >20 years as PEM provider were each significant determinants of higher CS scores, whereas BO score, emotional depletion, distress about the physical work environment and "administrative issues," 10% to 24% of time spent caring for pediatric patients, and "talking with life partner" about work-related distress were each significant determinants of lower CS scores. We acknowledge that the generalizability of our findings is limited by the sample size and by the fact that participants were largely female, Caucasian, and junior faculty and worked in academic medical centers.Conclusions: PEM physicians are at risk for developing CF, BO, and low CS. Proactive awareness of these phenomena and their predictors may allow providers to better manage the unique challenges and emotional stressors of the pediatric ED to enhance personal well-being and professional performance. P ediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians function at the frontline of pediatric health care, and with this privilege comes a distinct set of challenges and emotional stressors. While providing medical care for acutely ill children and working closely with families at a time of heightened stress,

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Section: Cfsupporting

confidence: 43%

A Cross‐sectional Analysis of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States

Gribben

MacLean

Pour

et al. 2019

Academic Emergency Medicine

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“…Religiosity is defined as the adherence to beliefs, doctrines, ethics, rituals, texts, traditions, and practices related to a higher power and associated with an organized group [36]. Studies on religiosity and burnout amongst medical students have shown conflicting results with some indicating lack of a relationship [37] and others showing an inverse relationship [38,39]. Social support is the perception of the quality of emotional support provided by others [40].…”

Section: Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grit protects medical students from burnout: a longitudinal study

et al. 2020

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Background: Burnout is a serious issue plaguing the medical profession with potential negative consequences on patient care. Burnout symptoms are observed as early as medical school. Based on a Job Demands-Resources model, this study aims to assess associations between specific job resources measured at the beginning of the first year of medical school with burnout symptoms occurring later in the first year. Methods: The specific job resources of grit, tolerance for ambiguity, social support and gender were measured in Duke-NUS Medical School students at the start of Year 1. Students were then surveyed for burnout symptoms at approximately quarterly intervals throughout the year. Using high ratings of cynicism and exhaustion as the definition of burnout, we investigated the associations of the occurrence of burnout with student job resources using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Out of 59 students, 19 (32.2%) indicated evidence of burnout at some point across the first year of medical school. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis identified grit as having a significant protective effect against experiencing burnout (Odds Ratio, 0.84; 95%CI 0.74 to 0.96). Using grit as a single predictor of burnout, area under the ROC curve was 0.76 (95%CI: 0.62 to 0.89). Conclusions: Grit was identified as a protective factor against later burnout, suggesting that less gritty students are more susceptible to burnout. The results indicate that grit is a robust character trait which can prognosticate burnout in medical students. These students would potentially benefit from enhanced efforts to develop grit as a personal job resource.

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“…Multiple studies have demonstrated that “religion and spirituality” can be protective against burnout. Studies have shown that higher levels of spiritual well-being (Kim and Yeom 2018), an active spiritual life and the practice of the virtue of humility (Doolittle, Windish, and Seelig 2013), regular attendance of religious services, and observing a day of rest for religious reasons (Salmoirago-Blotcher et al 2016) are all associated with reduced overall burnout and burnout-related behaviors. In a survey of healthcare professionals in Hong Kong, Ho and colleagues (2008) demonstrated that daily spiritual experiences have been shown in regression analyses to be protective against burnout (β = −.22, p < .01), depression (β = −.68, p < .01), and anxiety (β = −.05, p < .01) even when adjusting for age, educational level, marital status, and staff ranking.…”

Section: Religion and Spirituality May Be Protective Against Burnoutmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spiritual Works of Mercy as a Tool to Prevent Burnout in Medical Trainees

Shaniuk

2020

Linacre Q

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Burnout is highly prevalent among physicians and is associated with negative patient outcomes. Furthermore, medical training is a particularly vulnerable time as studies show that medical students, residents, and fellows experience burnout and emotional exhaustion at higher rates than both the general population and physicians in practice. Multiple recent studies have demonstrated the practice of religion and spirituality to be protective against burnout in trainees. Can Catholic academic physicians transfer these protective benefits of religion and spirituality to their trainees, who are at the highest risk, and who may or may not share their faith? An ancient Catholic tradition, the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, may hold the key. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are listed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as Counseling the Doubtful, Instructing the Ignorant, Admonishing the Sinner, Comforting the Sorrowful, Forgiving Injuries, Bearing Wrongs Patiently, and Praying for the Living and the Dead. Using this as a framework, examples of evidenced-based actions from the literature that have been shown to either prevent burnout or to improve the day-to-day experience of medical trainees were discussed. Examples include encouraging trainees to express doubts or to debrief after difficult and saddening cases. Academic physicians can provide instruction, feedback, or admonishment; demonstrate forgiveness of errors; and model the way in bearing wrongs patiently, all while uplifting their trainees in prayer. The Spiritual Works of Mercy can thus become a framework for academic physicians to uplift their trainees’ spirits and potentially prevent against burnout. Summary: Burnout is highly prevalent in medical students and in doctors during their residency or fellowship training, but multiple studies have shown regular practice of Religion and Spirituality to be protective against burnout. The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy (Counsel the Doubtful, Instruct the Ignorant, Admonish the Sinner, Comfort the Sorrowful, Forgive All Injuries, Bear Wrongs Patiently and Pray for the Living and the Dead) provide a framework of powerful examples for teaching physicians, particularly Catholic teaching physicians, to uplift their students and potentially transfer this benefit to reduce their students’ risk for burnout.

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An exploration of the role of religion/spirituality in the promotion of physicians' wellbeing in Emergency Medicine

Cited by 38 publications

References 54 publications

A Cross‐sectional Analysis of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States

A Cross‐sectional Analysis of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians in the United States

Grit protects medical students from burnout: a longitudinal study

The Spiritual Works of Mercy as a Tool to Prevent Burnout in Medical Trainees

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