Wellness

Physician Well-being Worksheet

Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine

How do we work towards wholeness in our lives, as physicians and people? What would wholeness in our lives even look like? There are many areas of ongoing research and discussion about physician wellness, burnout, compassion fatigue, and finding meaning in our career in medicine. Here is a short personal worksheet to help you reflect on your own path to wellbeing, with some areas for personal notes, goals, and action plans.

1) Meaning: What is the reason you chose to become a physician, and what is the reason you continue to pursue medicine as a career? How can you stay connected with these reasons, as you go through your medical training?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) Values: What is most important to you in your life? These things might change throughout your life, but some might be constant. How are you prioritizing these values in your life right now? How do you plan to prioritize them in the future?

My Top 5 Values

1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________

3) Self Care: How do you take care of your body, your mind, your heart and your spirit? Is this a priority for you? Studies show that doctors who care for all these aspects of themselves and prioritize self care are happier and more resilient; and their patients have better health outcomes. What are you doing now, and what can you do in the future, to care for yourself?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4) Planning: Physician wellbeing and happiness do not happen by chance. Planning, reflection, and regular re-evaluation are necessary to continually adjust as we pursue the goals of a meaningful and fulfilling career and a happy life.

Some Questions to Ponder

-Where do I see myself in the future? In 5 years? 10 years?

-What is most meaningful to me in life and in medicine, and how do I maximize that meaning in my daily life?

-How do I line up my values with my career?

-Have I found any physicians who I want to be like? What are they doing to pursue wholeness?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Action Plan Ideas

1. Find a physician mentor that seems happy. Talk to them about how they got where they are and how they structure their career and life.
2. Talk to your support system (family/friends who know you well) about your values and plans.
3. Consider the meaning behind your choice to go into medicine, and how you can connect with that meaning on a regular basis.
4. Think about what you can do now to get on your desired path.
5. Establish lifetime habits to enhance your wellbeing and happiness.
6. Start or maintain or increase self-care.

Your Personal Action Plan

1. ____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________

_{Last edit by Amy L. Lee, MD 4/2018}

Article: Physician Burnout: Its Origins, Symptoms, and Five Main Causes

Article: Physician Resilience and Burnout: Can You Make the Switch?

Article:  https://tuftsmedicine.pressbooks.pub/fmclerkshipmmc/cyr-new-engl-j-med-2011/

Monday thru Friday:
Posner Hall, Room 406
200 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02111
PH: (617) 636-2700

Students should feel free to come by and talk. Outside referrals can be provided as well.

You can obtain more information about the Health Administration office at: medicine.tufts.edu/saha.

Medical school can be quite challenging. You may feel academically or personally overwhelmed,
lonely, saddened by events in your life. You may be far away from family, uncertain about your
future plans, or you may want to take some time away from studying  to chat with someone.

This resource is completely confidential.

You are invited to check out the blog started by TUSM FM faculty Dr. Amy L. Lee, focused on physician well-being:

WORKING TOWARDS WHOLENESS IN OUR LIVES, AS DOCTORS AND PEOPLE

Join the conversation, read the blog, connect with faculty and other students in the health professions at:

www.wholemed.org

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