ACP I.M. Thriving is an every other month newsletter that highlights learnings, news, and resources in the intersection of well-being and professional fulfillment, quality, and team-based care.聽Please complete the form to receive the I.M. Thriving newsletter in your inbox. Questions? E-mail聽acpwellbeing@acpprograms.org.
January 17, 2025
ACP Well-being Champions: Winter Well-being Connection Resources
鈥淚 think the extreme complexity of medicine has become more than an individual clinician can handle. But not more than teams of clinicians can handle.鈥
鈥擜tul Gawande, MD, MPH, Being Mortal
As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we are reminded of the natural changes and cycles of life. In the winter months, there can be a natural tendency to slow down and 鈥渉ibernate,鈥 yet we want to be mindful of finding the balance between isolation and solitude. Winter is a time when we can , and feelings of loneliness and disconnection can get loud, both and for our patients. Loneliness can have , as we know from the from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD. Research shows that connection can lead to better health and well-being, protecting us against serious issues like heart disease, stroke, dementia, and depression. A 2023 study that appeared strongly related to work setting and environment.
In much of the discussion on physician burnout and dysphoria, the being a part of a professional community鈥攊s rarely mentioned as a source of professional unhappiness. Dr. Murthy recently teamed up with Chef Jos茅 Andr茅s to create , a tool to help strengthen our relationships. At ACP, we look to help enhance your well-being by keeping you plugged in to a community of practice. Be sure to reach out to others and continue to make connections, especially over the winter months.
Check out the links below for resources you can use for yourself and others:
- Explore the Professional Fulfillment Zone, where you will find the latest updates from ACP's Professional Development and Fulfillment Team on peer coaching, financial well-being, and Well-being Champions (WBCs).
- Read about physician burnout, an initiative on determinants of health, and the connection between violence and mental health; also, connect to creative resources for well-being.
- Learn the importance of combatting loneliness in the workplace.
- Review Patients Before Paperwork and advocacy updates that affect physician well-being and professional fulfillment.
- Explore WBC coaching resources, including coaching sign-ups, the WBC contact list, a library of well-being interventions, and the WBC journey map. Find out how chapters can partner with WBCs (WBC Exclusive; must be signed in to ACP online).
- Utilize just-in-time well-being skills for yourself and to teach others, and explore tools to create a well-being program tailored to any organization's needs and budget.
- Visit the I.M. Emotional Support Hub and Video Series to learn more about individual and organizational strategies and resources to protect clinicians' emotional health and well-being.
We look forward to hearing from you! Post in the WBC community in the ACP Connect app and/or reach out to us via e-mail anytime with your thoughts and suggestions for newsletter topics and features.
Sincerely,
Your ACP Well-being Team
Please log your Well-being Champion activities in your new and improved Well-being Champion Activities Tracker!