Surviving vs. Thriving: The Impact of Overwork on Healthcare Professionals

In this episode, Dr Mariam Pereira and Melanie McKenna delve into the pressing issue of overworking in the healthcare sector and its detrimental effects on staff well-being. Drawing on their experiences within the NHS, they discuss the systemic challenges that lead to excessive workloads, the erosion of passion among healthcare professionals, and the resulting compassion fatigue. They also explore the positive impact of Schwartz Rounds as a reflective practice that fosters emotional connection and camaraderie among healthcare workers.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Overworking leads to significant stress and burnout among healthcare professionals, affecting their well-being and job satisfaction. This systemic issue is an individual problem and a broader organizational challenge.

• They both highlight the relevance of Maslow's hierarchy, emphasizing that basic physiological and safety needs must be met for healthcare staff to thrive, rather than merely survive in their roles.

• Schwartz Rounds provide a reflective space for healthcare professionals to share experiences and emotions related to their work, fostering a culture of openness and support that can combat feelings of isolation and burnout.

• Implementing meaningful flexible working options can empower healthcare staff, allowing them to balance their professional and personal lives better, which can lead to improved job satisfaction and retention.

• The discussion stresses the importance of rebuilding relationships and camaraderie among healthcare professionals and fostering compassion towards colleagues and patients to combat the effects of compassion fatigue and moral injury.

 

BEST MOMENTS

"Excessive workload has all kinds of secondary impacts on the person... people aren't going to be able to achieve a sense of well-being in work whilst they are under so much pressure."

"We all should have the right to thrive. And it frustrates me that people are giving their all and being abused for it; it's not fair."

"There's a kind of common mentality of jaded... of that kind of attitude of, well, there's no point anyway, I've just got to get on with it."

"We need to start with the well-being of the healthcare professional... making people feel like they're valued and feeling like we care about them."

"Schwartz Rounds... are a reflective forum where people from across all different professionals can come together to reflect on the work that they do in healthcare."

 

HOST BIO

Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time. 

Dr Melany McKenna is a Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Analytic Therapy practitioner, and Executive Coach. With a specialist interest in staff wellbeing, and supporting NHS professionals, Dr McKenna offers psychologically informed reflections, prompting us to consider staff wellbeing from a systemic perspective.

If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here.