Keys to cultivating empathy in residency

With burnout on the rise and so many competing demands, cultivating a healthy sense of empathy can be a struggle. Dhruv Khullar, MD, a resident physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and contributor to the New York Times Well blog, shared insights following a special AMA tweet chat. AMA Wire: How can a resident work to maintain pragmatic empathy over the long term? Dr. Khullar: We go into medicine to help others, and empathy is at the core of what we do as doctors. But as enriching and inspiring as medical training can be, it can also be demanding and overwhelming. Maintaining our empathy and compassion throughout it all can sometimes be challenging. Recent studies show that one-third of residents experience depressive symptoms and burnout. This can make it hard to care for patients in a way that’s good for them and good for us. When we’re not at our best, patient care isn’t at its best. There are tangible steps that trainees can take to maintain their sense of purpose during residency. The first is to recognize you’re never alone. If you’re struggling, if you’re feeling down, it’s likely that others are too. Opening up to colleagues, family members and significant others is critical. I’ve found that when one person discusses what they’re going through, others inevitably do as well. This creates a supportive environment for everyone. Another important step is to carve out time to reflect. This can be done alone, with friends or th...
Source: AMA Wire - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Source Type: news