Kentuckians suffer from a host of troubling health conditions. Through the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) and Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC)’s “Small STEPS, Big Impact,” campaign, Kentucky physicians have been highlighting ways we can make small changes that can add up to a big impact on overall health. From issues with food insecurity, tobacco use, and exercise, there is plenty of room for improvement in our state. However, while more difficult to calculate, stress remains an underlying factor in nearly every health condition.
Long hours, seemingly endless administrative tasks, and the emotional weight of patient care all contribute to our rising levels of stress and burnout. A 2022 KMA survey found that more than 54% of Kentucky physicians indicated they are feeling more stress now than before the pandemic, with most citing administrative burdens and work/life balance issues as the main sources.
The impact of physician burnout is profound, and it is one that we must tackle head on. Recognizing the gravity of this issue, the KMA and the Lexington Medical Society (LMS) have each created support programs that can be a first step for member physicians struggling with burnout and other stressors.
“It’s really important to try to emphasize prevention and ongoing maintenance of selfcare because it is so easy to just gradually start to overwork yourself,” said Shawn C. Jones, MD, president of the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care and author of “Finding Heart in Art: A Surgeon’s Renaissance Approach To Healing Modern Medical Burnout.”
In 2020, LMS launched its Physician Wellness Program (PWP). The program connects physicians with counselors and provides
eight free sessions each calendar year with licensed psychologists through The Woodland Wellness Group for active and retired physicians and residents and fellows, and twelve free sessions for UK medical students each calendar year.
KMA launched a similar program in 2021. The Association’s “Be Well, Stay Well Physician Health Program” provides up to six free visits with a licensed therapist, also through The Woodland Wellness Group, for KMA physician members in rural areas of the state. Both KMA and LMS ensure complete confidentiality, encouraging physicians to seek help without fear of professional repercussions. Additionally, KMA supports policies that reduce administrative burdens and have helped secure protections for physicians seeking mental health assistance. This includes the passage of 2023’s Senate Bill 12, which encourages physicians to seek care through a wellness program and ensures that a record of a physician’s participation in such a program is confidential.
Practical Steps for Physicians to Combat Burnout
While outside support is crucial, individual physicians can take steps to mitigate stress and burnout in their own lives. Strategies include
- Setting Boundaries
- Seeking Peer Support
- Practicing Mindfulness
- Prioritizing Physical Health
- Utilizing Available Resources
Through these initiatives, KMA and LMS have made physician wellness a priority, but continued advocacy and engagement from members is crucial. The well-being of our physicians is directly tied to the health of our communities, making this issue one of Kentucky’s most critical. By acknowledging the issue, supporting solutions, and fostering a culture of wellness, we can ensure that those who dedicate their lives to healing others receive the care they deserve in return.