| Physician, Heal Thyself: Thoughts, Links and Readings on Caregiver Stress & Burnout for Medical and Psychological professionals, family caregivers and clergy Elizabeth A. Pector, M.D. |
| Working as a professional dedicated to physical, mental or spiritual health has never been more challenging. Caring for a diverse population of clients who are feeling ill from the stresses of modern American life, uncertain economics, the unfamiliar risks of war and terrorism, etc. can easily cause burnout or compassion fatigue in the well-meaning professional who keeps striving to meet the needs of his or her clients without taking time to meet his or her own needs for rest and nourishment of body, soul and mind. The links on this page are meant to be helpful for both medical and mental health professionals, and suggested readings are merely a starting point for those who feel a need to upgrade their self-care strategies. Since I cannot vouch for the applicability of a specific resource to any person or groups' needs, use of these resources is at your own risk. Private, confidential, personalized support may be needed, in the form of lay or pastoral counseling, retreats, sabbaticals, medical treatment, spiritual direction, mentoring, or services for impaired professionals. Please check the licensure and professional qualifications of any services listed on this page, ask for recommendations from their previous clients and otherwise be prudent before committing money, time or effort to anyone. To understand the dynamics and potential sources of relief for burnout and stress in health care and related fields, please explore Dr. Pector's presentation from December 2007. Also helpful might be course notes that accompanied this lecture. Also check out Dr. Pector's Tips to survive stress. I hope this helps equip you to continue healthy caregiving for your patient or client population. Elizabeth A. Pector, M.D. |
| Books: This is a combination of books recommended by Dr. Pector and other professionals and organizations. Professional: The Resilient Physician: Effective Emotional Management for Doctors and their Medical Organizations, published by AMA, 2000. Conti-O'Hare, Marion. The Nurse as Wounded Healer: From Trauma to Transcendence. Available through www.drconti-online.com/books.html. Figley CR, ed. Compassion Fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in those who Treat the Traumatized. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1995. Gilley K. Leading from the Heart. Boston: Butterworth-Heineman, 1997. Gilley K. The Alchemy of Fear. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998. Muller, W. Legacy of the Heart, the spiritual advantages of a painful childhood, 1992. Nouwen, Henri. The Wounded Healer. Nouwen, Henry. Ministry and Spirituality: Creative Ministry, the Wounded Healer Reaching Out 1996. Pearlman LA, Saakvitne KW. Trauma and the Therapist: Countertransference and Vicarious Traumatization in Psychotherapy with Incest Survivors. New York: Norton, 1995. Reinhold, Barbara Bailey. Toxic Work, how to overcome stress, overload, and burnout and revitalize your career. 1997. Remen, Rachel Naomi. Kitchen Table Wisdom. 1996. Smith, Douglas C. Being a Wounded Healer, 1999. Sussman, Michael B., ed. A Perilous Calling, the hazards of psychotherapy practice. Professional Marriages and relationships: Gabbard G.O., Menninger R.W., eds. Medical Marriages. Washington D.C., American Psychiatric Press, 1988. Hendrix, H. Getting the Love you Want, a guide for couples, 1990. Myers, Michael F. Doctors' Marriages: A Look at the Problems and their Solutions. Osherson, S. Wrestling with Love, how men struggle with intimacy, 1992. Rubin, L. Intimate Strangers, men and women together, 1983. Sotile, Wayne M. and Mary O. The Medical Marriage: Sustaining Healthy Relationships for Physicians and their Families. Making Positive Changes: Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie. Chopra, Deepak--various, including The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, a practical guide to the fulfillment of your dreams, 1994, and The Way of The Wizard, twenty spiritual lessons for creating the life you want, 1995. Csikszentmihalyi, Mihalyi. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Hyperion, 1994. Davis, Martha, Elizabeth Robbins Eshelman, Matthew McKay. The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, 5th edition, 2000. Excellent review of stress reduction and relaxation techniques, basic cognitive behavioral strategies. Dyer, W. Your Sacred Self, making the decision to be free, 1995. Hay, Louise, You can heal your life, 1987 initial publication date, updated with workbook. Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. New York: Hyperion, 1994. Kabat-Zinn, Jon. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Mind and Body to Face Stress, Pain and Illness. New York: Dell Publishing, 1991. Kornfield. A Path with a Heart: A Guide through the Perils and Promises of Spiritual Life. New York: Bantam Books, 1993. Moore, Thomas. Care of the Soul: A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life. New York: Harper Collins, 1992. Myss, C. Anatomy of the Spirit, the seven stages of power and healing, 1996. Nhat Hanh, T. The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation. Boston: Beacon Press, 1987. Norris, K. Amazing Grace, a vocabulary of faith, 1998. Pierce, C. and Page, B. Male/Female Continuum: Paths to Colleagueship. Seligman, Martin. Learned Optimism: How to Change your Mind and Life. Siegel, Bernie. Love, Medicine and Miracles, 1986; Peace, Love and Healing, 1989; How to Live between Office Visits, 1993; Prescriptions for Living, 1998. Sittser, Gerald. A Grace Disguised. Tavis, C. Anger, the misunderstood emotion, 1982. Weill, Andrew--various. Whitehead E. and Whitehead, J. Shadows of the Heart, a spirituality of the painful emotions, 1994. |
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