The researchers pointed to a reduction in burnout due to lifestyle medicine
The use of lifestyle medicine in the treatment of patients can help reduce professional burnout among medical professionals. This was reported on February 18 by Medical Xpress magazine.
Lifestyle medicine is a specialty based on therapeutic lifestyle changes for the treatment of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The approach includes a diet based on whole, predominantly plant-based foods, physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and avoidance of harmful substances.
The work is based on in-depth interviews with 41 medical professionals and administrators from five US healthcare systems where relevant programs have been implemented. Among those interviewed were doctors, nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, health consultants, and administrators.
Study participants reported increased job satisfaction after the introduction of lifestyle medicine. They noted significant improvements in the condition of patients, an increase in their involvement in taking care of their own health, a strengthening of the relationship between doctor and patient, as well as a correspondence between professional values and daily clinical practice.
Burnout is widespread among doctors and other professionals and is associated with a deterioration in the quality of care, decreased patient satisfaction, and increased staff turnover. The reasons include administrative workload, inefficient processes, high employment, and loss of professional autonomy.
Earlier surveys have already pointed to a link between more active lifestyle medicine practice and reduced burnout, but this study was one of the first to analyze the causes of this dependence.
The authors identified factors that can reduce the risk of burnout: monitoring the improvement of patients' health, increasing their satisfaction, support from like-minded colleagues, organizational support, as well as improving the staff's own health through the application of the principles of lifestyle medicine in their personal lives.
Based on the data obtained, the researchers developed a model linking these factors to three key components of burnout. According to them, lifestyle medicine can reduce emotional exhaustion, reduce alienation, and enhance a sense of professional achievement.
"Many participants in the study described lifestyle-based medicine as the type of treatment they initially hoped to pursue when they started their careers in healthcare. Seeing an improvement in patients' condition, often with fewer medications and greater involvement in taking care of their own health, many doctors appeared to restore a sense of purpose and effectiveness," said the study's lead author, Dr. Bruce Weeks.
At the same time, the authors note that lifestyle medicine is not able to single-handedly eliminate such structural causes of burnout as excessive workload or the volume of documentation. However, the organizational implementation of such programs can become a promising systematic approach that is beneficial for both patients and specialists.
Early studies have allegedly shown a link between lifestyle medicine practices and lower burnout rates among healthcare professionals. This study complements this data and provides doctors with an opportunity to speak out, as well as demonstrates how meaningful treatment outcomes, care, and stronger relationships with patients can bring joy and a sense of purpose back into medical practice.
Natalia Panafidina, a systemic family psychotherapist, an EFT-psychotherapist, and a leader of therapeutic groups, gave advice on how to quickly recover from stress in an interview with Izvestia on January 30. She clarified that stress primarily manifests itself at the body level. According to the specialist, this condition needs to be experienced physically and not ignored.
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