The Medical Professionals Empowerment Program (MedPEP) - Episode 13: Changing the System that Destroys Careers

The Medical Professionals Empowerment Program (MedPEP) - Episode 13: Changing the System that Destroys Careers is organized by Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS).

Original Release Date: January 24, 2019          
Termination Date: January 24, 2021

Accreditation:
AMA Credit Designation Statement  
The Massachusetts Medical Society designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Physician Assistants may claim 1.00 Category 1 credits for completing this activity. NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

Course Overview:
The stresses and strains of medical practice burned out Dr. Diane Shannon to the point where she left clinical practice and reinvented herself as a medical writer. She shares her moving, cautionary tale with Marie Curious, explaining to her that medical practice was not what she had expected it to be. She found it to be so chaotic and stressful that it was taking a serious toll on her physical and emotional health. It also detracted from her capacity to sustain healthy relationships. Since leaving the practice of medicine, Diane’s research and writing have led her to the conclusion that her personal crisis had multiple causes: her inability to adequately handle pressure, stress and frustration at work; the lack of organizational support for her and other physicians; and, the bevy of system-wide regulations and requirements that have culminated in the dehumanization of the role of the physician. Diane believes that some leading edge organizations are instituting meaningful changes in processes, culture and leadership that are just beginning to move the needle on physician burnout. Diane gives Marie advice about having effective discussions with leaders and managers about the linkages between physician well-being, patient satisfaction, and organizational success.  She also shares some personal survival strategies with Marie, including informal peer-to-peer support groups.  

Learning Objectives:
• Reflect on medical writer Dr. Diane Shannon’s experience confronting the stress of practicing medicine in a poorly designed health care system, and, consider the pros and cons of her decision to save herself by leaving medical practice.
• Describe the optimization of this system such that emotional supports for physicians and other health professionals were introduced in order to preserve their personal well-being and their careers.
• Paraphrase Dr. Shannon’s advice on how to hold effective discussions with leaders.