Dr Brian Charles, emergency physician based in Barbados, looks at the steps clinicians can take to better care for themselves.

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True story: a physician of 42 years retired two months after the COVID-19 pandemic started as he felt it wasn’t worthwhile continuing his practice with the operating financial cost and markedly decreased revenue from low attendance to the surgery. Three weeks after retirement, he receives his first letter from an attorney for a lawsuit from a patient he managed two years prior. This was very stressful for him. Fortunately, he’d been a member of Medical Protection for all his career, and we were able to help in many ways, including counselling for emotional distress.

Many of us practitioners spare no effort to ‘heal’ or at least bring comfort to our patients, but are we adequately taking care of ourselves? The case above highlights three concomitant stressors in a colleague who was not prepared and could have had severe consequences if not managed appropriately.

Below are some strategies that we can learn to manage stress and lead happier, healthier lives:

• Recognise poorly managed stress early and seek treatment with a psychologist or other mental health professional trained in stress management. Medical Protection has a counselling service for members who are having difficulty managing stressful events related to professional practice.

• Accept that there are events that you cannot control. Try not to let unplanned adverse situations affect your life.

• Maintain a positive attitude. This is easier said than done, especially given the strains on healthcare providers in recent years.

• Be assertive instead of aggressive. Assert your feelings, opinions or beliefs instead of becoming angry, defensive or passive.

• Learn and practice relaxation techniques: try meditation and other established relaxation techniques for stress management.

• Exercise regularly. Your body can fight stress better when it is fit.

• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

• Set manageable goals in your professional and personal lives. Review these goals regularly and adjust appropriately.

• Learn to manage your time more effectively.

• Set limits appropriately and learn to say “no” to requests that would create excessive stress in your life.

• Make time for hobbies, interests and relaxation.

• Get enough rest and sleep. Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.

• Don't rely on alcohol, drugs or compulsive behaviours to reduce stress.

• Seek out social support. Spend enough time with those you enjoy.

Remember that stress is good in that it prepares us for survival and allows heightened performance in adverse situations. However, too much or poorly managed stress will have harmful effects.