Achieving Work-Life Balance in Anesthesia: Strategies and Benefits
Like many other professions within the healthcare industry, achieving a satisfactory work-life balance can be challenging. Burnout results from an uneven work-life balance and is caused by many factors. At CCI Anesthesia, we recognize the importance of implementing strategies for boosting work-life balance. We understand that our anesthesia providers and patients experience improved outcomes when we prioritize balance for our staff.
The Importance of Work-Life Balance in Anesthesia
Research isn’t clear about which stage anesthesia providers are most likely to experience stressors that lead to burnout, but the occupation certainly presents unique challenges. These include a lack of autonomy, the demands for delivering high-quality patient care, extended work hours and financial stresses.
Achieving work-life balance delivers significant benefits to anesthesia providers. When work stressors are balanced with their home life, anesthesia providers’ mental and physical health can improve. Anesthesia providers with better mental and physical health are more satisfied with their jobs and can deliver higher-quality patient care — our top priority at CCI Anesthesia.
Recognizing Signs of Imbalance
There are no universal, one-size-fits-all signs of work-life imbalance. Anesthesia providers need to understand that burnout can look different for them compared to their friends, family and colleagues.
Lack of energy, job satisfaction, focus and patience are just a few signs of imbalance. Questioning their ability to do their job, feeling they lack the skills necessary to do well or being uncertain about the value of their work can all be symptoms of something being awry with the balance between life and work.
Changes in sleeping or eating habits or increased drug/alcohol use can also often be traced back to work-life issues. It’s important for all anesthesia providers to be alert to signs of potential burnout. Additionally, take note of any feedback from coworkers or loved ones that might signal problematic symptoms.
Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Balance
Fortunately, by being more aware of the signs of potential burnout and being proactive about addressing them, anesthesia providers can implement strategies for achieving a more equitable balance between work and life.
The Role of Mindfulness and Stress Management
Being mindful of the stressors of work and life can bring is half the battle to improve the balance between the two. At CCI Anesthesia, it’s essential for us to listen to our care providers and understand the evolving challenges faced in and out of the operating room. Once these are identified, they can then be addressed.
The stressors affecting a particular anesthesia provider will guide the applicable approach to managing it. Taking regular breaks and vacations- whether going out of town or simply staying home- is one strategy that can address several signs of an imbalance between work and life.
Making self-care a priority is another way to manage work-life balance. Exercise, partaking in a healthy hobby and volunteering are common ways that anesthesia providers can practice self-care.
Building a Supportive Professional Network
It matters where anesthesia providers work! Healthcare facilities that place a premium on listening to the needs and wants of their staff, such as better scheduling practices, frequent debriefings and opportunities for mentoring, are more likely to have providers who experience a positive balance between work and life. Keeping the lines of communication open and fostering a collaborative environment are other traits of a supportive work environment.
Leveraging Technology for Efficiency
A key factor in bridging the gap between work and life is taking full advantage of technology and embracing its flexibility and efficiency. For example, the ability to engage in best-in-class perioperative KPIs in real time ensures all providers have access to the information needed to perform to the highest standards. Knowing the expected compliance and quality benchmarks helps boost success rates while improving overall patient care.
The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Professional Effectiveness
Achieving a work-life balance to improve professionalism effectiveness cannot be overstated. When people feel appreciated and supported at work, they can more easily enjoy their time at home. This cycles back into a more effective demeanor and improved performance in the workplace.
Fostering an environment focused on work-life balance may also reduce errors while improving patient outcomes. These are the goals every anesthesia provider strives to attain every day. When people are happy at work, they bring that positivity home, so the cycle continues. At CCI Anesthesia, we believe in empowering our team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Reach out to us today to learn more.