Read on Twitter
I'm now in "How to Identify Distressed Physician Colleagues and Stop Them From Dying by Suicide"
...will tweet any highlights. #CHEST2020
...will tweet any highlights. #CHEST2020
this is incredibly powerful. opening with a physician with a substance use disorder... this is intense
first highlight: he noticed the gross inequity evident to him in his work and it affected him
then, personal tragedy
then, opiates for pain #CHEST2020
first highlight: he noticed the gross inequity evident to him in his work and it affected him
then, personal tragedy
then, opiates for pain #CHEST2020
now detailing how he lost his professional life, became actively suicidal... unbelievable
lost a colleague to suicide...
no one talks about this (except we do at #CHEST2020)
lost a colleague to suicide...
no one talks about this (except we do at #CHEST2020)
"The reason I'm talking so openly is that you are going to see distressed colleagues... the wrong thing to do is to shut them out." #chest2020
"I told you my story today because ... I want you to recognize my despair and hopefully see it in others. you may be able to stop a colleague from reaching their bottom or worse even ending their life. Maybe you can make a difference." #CHEST2020
Physician suicide more likely when underlying issues like anxiety, depression, injury, life stress left untreated -- a note to program directors; 23% of interns had suicidal thoughts in one study. #CHEST2020
@DrKMSimon
@DrKMSimon
Racial microaggressions - one form of everyday racism- @DrKMSimon
the impact is not so "micro" though.
#chest2020
the impact is not so "micro" though.
#chest2020
great examples of microaggressions #chest2020
a nice slide on the similarities and differences between burnout and depression
Bottom line: burnout is situational, job-related. Depression is context-free. @DrKMSimon #chest2020
Bottom line: burnout is situational, job-related. Depression is context-free. @DrKMSimon #chest2020
Now Dr. Myers, psychiatrist. "I lost my roommate in my 1st year of medicine to suicide in 1962." #chest2020
a call to action: "whatever you do, do something!" #CHEST2020
Found him! @downstatedoctor
these are great tips. Do something, but think about how you'll approach it. #CHEST2020
these are great tips. Do something, but think about how you'll approach it. #CHEST2020
In addition: dont' just give resources. ask permission to make the calls on his behalf. YOU set it up! @downstatedoctor #CHEST2020
What if they tell you to get lost?
"don't take it personally- i've been told to get lost since i was a medical student!" @downstatedoctor #chest2020
"don't take it personally- i've been told to get lost since i was a medical student!" @downstatedoctor #chest2020
Some self-care tips. " do not let any job in medicine severely compromise your right to a personal and family life" @downstatedoctor #CHEST2020
Now highlighting discrepancies in how physicians of color are treated by the system (boards etc)
One solution --> fix the pipeline, diversify the boards #CHEST2020
One solution --> fix the pipeline, diversify the boards #CHEST2020
Boards/licensure: any questions asked should be about impairment and about current health, not a history of a problem.
"Currently suffering from any illness that is impacting your ability to practice medicine safely?" @downstatedoctor #chest2020
"Currently suffering from any illness that is impacting your ability to practice medicine safely?" @downstatedoctor #chest2020
Don't wait until something bad happens. Talk to a therapist now. @DrKMSimon #chest2020
Here are some takeaways from an @EuroRespSoc talk on a similar topic w insight from @smart_practice if you are interested in more tips on identifying a suffering colleague #CHEST2020 https://twitter.com/laxswamy/status/1178942811237957633?s=19
