MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'burnout'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:30 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934328&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F16%2Fthe-incredible-shrinking-american-vacation%2F Vacations are theoretical concepts that exist today only on paper. That’s according to Joe Robinson, work-life balance speaker, trainer, and author of “Don’t Miss Your Life.” His statistics are dire: Some 25 percent of Americans and 31 percent of low-wage earners get no vacation at all anymore, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. This is because, unlike in 138 other countries around the world, you’re not entitled to a vacation longer than the current news cycle. You happen to live in a country that, along with the esteemed likes of Myanmar, the Guyanas and North Korea, has no minimum paid leave law to make vacations statutorily legit. Now maybe it’s because I have been self-employed for most of my working life — and the few jobs I have held, I di... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934328 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:12:02 +0100 4934328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768046&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F04%2F29%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-29-2011%2F You know what amazes me? No matter how far we come in life, there is always a point where we suddenly forget. Maybe it’s the relative who negated your recent accomplishment or the friend who brushed off your latest idea. It could be the classmate that surpassed you in school or the colleague who got one step ahead of you in your career. Suddenly, everything you ever did is just not good enough. How do you get back to that place of peace and gratitude? How do you return to the moment where you remember all of the trials and tribulations and trauma you have already overcame in the past? You get back to yourself. Whether it’s by yoga, meditation or walking, these posts will help inspire you to do just that. Yoga and Meditation: The Benefits (ADHD in Focus) – Are you mystifi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768046 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:07:25 +0100 4768046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759045&cid=t_108873_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Frecovery-burnout%2F This article may help you think about the issues involved.Burnout is subtle. It creeps up on you slowly. How do you know if you are burning out?I know well the face of burnout. I found myself questioning my motives, feeling guilty, and being greatly misunderstood. Sometimes I was shamed for not “working the program!”What are the signs of burnout?As a professional counsellor I have researched burnout. According to the best research available on the subject there are three aspects of burnout:1. Perception of Inequity/Unfairness/InjusticeWhen you start to feel like you are getting the short end of the deal, being mistreated, under-appreciated, the program is not working for you… You may be burning out.2. Emotional ExhaustionWhen you start to run out of emotional gas you know something i... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759045 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:59:02 +0100 4759045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414520&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiabetes-bingo%2F2011.01.29 Recently, I reconnected with a long-lost local PWD (person with diabetes) named Ryan. Last time Ryan and I saw one another we were talking about diabetes goal-setting and dealing with wicked bouts of burnout. And this week I received an email from him with a brilliant idea about how to stay motivated towards setting — and reaching — diabetes-related goals. “I’ve had this ‘pyramid’ for about three months now. Just something that I keep near my desk to keep me focused on my diabetes. After completion of the pyramid, I have no clue what I will do but some kind of celebration will be in order,” he wrote, and attached a slide to his image. And when I opened it, I was like “whoa.” He had created a pyramid of his diabetes goals. Tangible... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414520 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 20:00:28 +0100 4414520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377601&cid=t_108873_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fp_WoGuv_orI%2Fsurgeons-and-suicide-ideation.html This study was commissioned by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Physician Competency and Health.  It used an anonymous cross-sectional survey in June 2008. The survey included questions regarding suicidal ideation (SI) and use of mental health resources, a validated depression screening tool, and standardized assessments of burnout and quality of life. There was a response rate of only 31.7% which resulted in 7905 participating surgeons.  Of these, 501 (6.3%) reported SI during the previous 12 months.  Only 26% (130/501) of the surgeons with recent SI had sought psychiatric or psychologic help.  More than half [301 (60.1%)] reported the same reluctant to seek help due to concern that it could affect their medical license as Dr. Lehmberg mentions abov... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377601 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:15:00 +0100 4377601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360979&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-burnout-depression-and-suicide-in-surgeons%2F2011.01.18 I wrote last year in USA Today about the impact of physician burnout. Not only do doctors suffer, but so do their patients. Burnout starts early in residency, with entering interns having a depression rate of 4 percent, similar to the general public. But after the first year of residency, that number balloons to 25 percent. Now another study adds fuel to this disturbing trend. A paper published in the Archives of General Surgery looks at the prevalence of physician burnout in surgeons: In a national survey, one in 16 surgeons reported contemplating suicide, researchers reported. An increased risk of suicidal ideation was linked to three factors: depression, burnout, and the perception of having made a recent major medical error … … But only about one in four of those who reported thi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360979 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:00:58 +0100 4360979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349652&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FBiv6dcI4Z0M%2Fthe-magic-of-routine.php In order to understand what I needed to do to change, I needed to understand what had changed.Besides the obvious of what happened in the past year - serious acute illness and two major surgeries, along with other sources of stress that arose - my routine changed.Shortly before I entered the hospital the first time in December 2009, my employer moved offices.  Instead of a 10-minute walk from the bus to the front door of the building, the new bus stop is now right in front of the building in which I work.  That means I lost 20 minutes of walking time each and every day, something that apparently helped keep my weight in an ideal range, even in the midst of prior episodes of inactivity and poor eating habits.  I got sick of low-to-no-carbohydrate sausage or eggs every morning... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349652 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:22:00 +0100 4349652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258864&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fer-doctors-and-burnout%2F2010.12.14 Via Balkans Business News: One in two emergency care doctors will suffer a burnout during their career, according to a survey of French physicians, published online in Emergency Medicine Journal. The research was funded in part by the NEXT NURSES’ EXIT STUDY (‘Sustaining working ability in the nursing profession – investigation of premature departure from work’) project, which received more than EUR 2 million under the ‘Quality of life and management of living resources’ Programme of the EU’s Fifth Framework Programme (FP5). … The responses showed that the prevalence of burnout was high, with 1 in 2 emergency care doctors identified as suffering from it, compared with more than 4 out of 10 of the representative sample. Physicians had the highest burnout rate in the two age ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258864 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:00:28 +0100 4258864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118759&cid=t_108873_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fstudy-shows-long-work-hours-contribute-surgeon-burnout%2F A new study just out by Dr. Charles Balch of Johns Hopkins Hospital is suggesting (not surprisingly) that long work hours contribute to burnout on both a professional and personal level for many surgeons, but that there is no data supporting that work hour restrictions results in improved patient outcomes. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118759 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 01:18:39 +0100 4118759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776438&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F21%2Fwanted-crisis-hotline-stories%2F Crisis and suicide hotlines are the backbone of most civilized nation’s response to suicidal individuals and are often the “first line” of intervention and response. Surprisingly, very little large-scale research has been conducted on the effectiveness of suicide hotlines, whether they actually save people’s lives, and what kind of followup they provide for individuals in crisis. In one recent research study, Mishara et al. (2007) found that suicide hotline call center quality and the nature of their interventions varied considerably. The researchers also found that call centers tended to do little systematic quality assurance to ensure that volunteers who man the suicide hotlines are conducting interventions according to their initial training. They also found tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776438 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:42:18 +0100 3776438 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767076&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-students-specialty-practice-and-more-money%2F2010.07.19 With medical students graduating, on average, with almost $160,000 of debt, it’s a major reason why they’re choosing more lucrative specialty practice, which can offer salaries multiple times more than those of primary care fields. In this clip from The Vanishing Oath, medical economist Amitabh Chandra, Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, discusses that influence, which contributes to a drastic decline of primary care residency slots being filled by American medical graduates. Of course, it’s not only money. Primary care practice has a litany of obstacles that can contribute to rapid physician burnout, compounded by the fact that good primary care role models are largely absent from academic settings. But there’s no denying that the salary dispar... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767076 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:00:39 +0100 3767076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764203&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2010%2F07%2F19%2Fsurgical-residents-more-health-complaints-than-other-employees%2F In this study the 5 most mentioned health complaints were: tiredness and lack of rest (both 73%), feeling drowsy or dull (35%), headache (34%) and back pain (28%). Other main findings of this study were: social support by supervisors strongly predicted health men and senior residents were healthier than women and junior residents, a high level of support by colleagues predicted health in female residents, low job related autonomy and less support by consultants predicted prolonged stress-related health complaints Residents working in university hospitals experienced lower levels of job-related autonomy and less support from colleagues in comparison with those working in general teaching hospitals Emotional support from the consultant was of eminent importance for the well being of resid... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764203 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:15:03 +0100 3764203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743517&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-a-vacations-not-a-vacation%2F2010.07.11 I just got back from extended time off, which brings to mind a post I wrote two years ago: Here’s an observation: most physicians in private practice don’t take enough vacations. I am often (rightly) accused of this sin. My staff, colleagues, and even patients regularly encourage me to take time off, but still I find it hard. Why is this? Is it that I love my job so much that I can’t tear myself away from it? Is it that my self-worth is wrapped up in being “the man” for my patients, and being away from this makes me feel insecure? Is work my addiction –- the one place that I have control of my circumstances and positive reinforcement? Perhaps. But I think the reasons are more basic than that. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Musings of a ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743517 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:35:20 +0100 3743517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662957&cid=t_108873_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fare-you-burning-out-2%2F This article may help you think about the issues involved. Burnout is subtle. It creeps up on you slowly. How do you know if you are burning out? I know well the face of burnout. I found myself questioning my motives, feeling guilty, and being greatly misunderstood. Sometimes I was shamed for not “working the program!” What are the signs of burnout? As a professional counselor I have researched burnout. According to the best research available on the subject there are three aspects of burnout: 1. Perception of Inequity/Unfairness/Injustice When you start to feel like you are getting the short end of the deal, being mistreated, under-appreciated, the program is not working for you… You may be burning out. 2. Emotional Exhaustion When you start to run out of emotional gas you k... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662957 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:44:18 +0100 3662957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644806&cid=t_108873_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FikEyNxiT2p4%2Fvanishing-oath.html I received a copy of the documentary, The Vanishing Oath, from the the films producer Nancy Pando.   I’m not sure I can best Dr Wes’ review, but would like to add my impressions.  The documentary film  was directed by a young emergency room physician, Ryan Flesher, MD and produced by a former clinical social worker, Nancy Pando, LICSW.   Dr. Flesher’s own dissatisfaction/disillusionment with medicine led to the films production. Physician burnout is an important topic and as with most job dissatisfaction is not due to just one thing.  The film addresses many with interviews of physicians, the public, and one lawyer – long hours, need to see more patients in less time, threat of malpractice lawsuits, increasing paperwork, increasing pressures from ... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644806 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3644806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635677&cid=t_108873_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdoctors-physician-burnout%2F Dr. Valerie Ulene’s editorial on how physician and surgeon burnout hurts patients too. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635677 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:40:00 +0100 3635677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621738&cid=t_108873_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2Fwxj9Uha2_Ww%2Fphysician-burnout.html Dr. Wes and Kevin,MD have both written reviews of the documentary film “The Vanishing Oath.”   I started the process rolling of trying to get the film shown locally.  No date yet, but looks like it will happen before the year is out.  This is not a new phenomenon in medicine (or any profession).  Dr. Robert Goldwyn wrote a nice essay on the some of the issues that can lead to burnout though not once did he mention burnout specifically.  The title says much: “I Bargained on Working Hard as a Surgeon,  Not Working hard to Be Able to Work Hard as a Surgeon”   The preceding title is a quote from a letter written by a resident in the last year of his training (S. A. Teitlebaum, August 20, 1994). It reflects the gloom besetting the young in pa... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621738 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3621738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3621755&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F06%2F01%2Fhelp-im-having-a-nervous-breakdown%2F “Help! I’m having a nervous breakdown!!” We’ve probably all have heard these words at least one point in our lives. But what does it mean? As we noted last year, a nervous breakdown is just a general, layperson’s term for a bout of mental illness. But Benedict Carey over at The New York Times examines the history of this phrase, as new phrases have entered the popular vocabulary trying to takes its place. These new phrases include “burnout syndrome” (or just plain “burnout”) and “vital exhaustion.” I don’t think any of these will catch on than the all-inclusive “nervous breakdown,” though, because of its longevity and history (since 1900!). What gives the “nervous breakdown” phrase such power? ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3621755 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:49:14 +0100 3621755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581610&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-team-approach-to-primary-care-why-some-doctors-may-resist%2F2010.05.19 What if some physicians actually like the way primary care is currently practiced? It’s hard to believe, considering the majority of studies suggest marked dissatisfaction among primary care doctors, and an increasing prevalence of physician burnout. The ACP’s Bob Doherty recently summarized an epic Health Affairs article devoted to fixing primary care. The bottom line was that paying primary care doctors better isn’t enough. The whole field needs to be re-invented. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581610 Wed, 19 May 2010 16:00:07 +0100 3581610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556121&cid=t_108873_101_f&fid=38969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheemtspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fhow-being-burnt-out-can-ignite-a-rebirth%2F A Guest Post By Jim Hoffman “The EMS Professional,” “The Paramedic Mentor,” Today’s guest author, Jim Hoffman has more nicknames than a retiring prizefighter and he’s earned every one of them. From the streets of The Big Apple to New Jersey and now the secluded mountains of upstate New York, Jim has been a paramedic for the better part of two decades. In his down time, Jim runs EMS-Safety.com, a one stop shop for low cost EMS training resources. He’s also part of the team behind The EMS Boot Camp series. After a little cajoling I talked Jim into letting me post his Handover contribution as a guest post. So this is me, stealing all of Jim’s literary  goodness for you. (Thank me later.) And now Jim: As an EMT in a large EMS system I found myse... The EMT Spot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556121 Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:47 +0100 3556121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552272&cid=t_108873_101_f&fid=38969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheemtspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2F11%2Fhow-being-burnt-out-can-ignite-a-rebirth%2F A Guest Post By Jim Hoffman “The EMS Professional,” “The Paramedic Mentor,” Today’s guest author, Jim Hoffman has more nicknames than a retiring prizefighter and he’s earned every one of them. From the streets of The Big Apple to New Jersey and now the secluded mountains of upstate New York, Jim has been a paramedic for the better part of two decades. In his down time, Jim runs EMS-Safety.com, a one stop shop for low cost EMS training resources. He’s also part of the team behind The EMS Boot Camp series. After a little cajoling I talked Jim into letting me post his Handover contribution as a guest post. So this is me, stealing all of Jim’s literary  goodness for you. (Thank me later.) And now Jim: As an EMT in a large EMS system I found myse... The EMT Spot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552272 Tue, 11 May 2010 12:00:47 +0100 3552272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552247&cid=t_108873_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-the-system-affects-our-doctors-a-must-see-documentary%2F2010.05.10 Yesterday a much-anticipated package arrived in the mail containing a documentary film directed (and acted) by a young emergency room physician, Ryan Flesher, M.D., and produced by a former clinical social worker, Nancy Pando, L.I.C.S.W. The film is called “The Vanishing Oath.” As background, the film is a 3-year project born in 2007 just before the great U.S. healthcare reform debate began. Over 200 hours of interviews were conducted to explore a simple question: Why Dr. Flesher had grown to hate medicine. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552247 Mon, 10 May 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3552247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433115&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2Fir5ZhQ_tXH4%2Fwhen-i-experience-stress-i.php When I experience stress, I eat too much.  Not necessarily just carbohydrates, either, like some people face.  I eat more of everything!   More meat, more cheese, more veggies, and yes, more carbohydrates - particularly potatoes and dessert.  The past couple weeks have been particularly stressful...and so despite home-cooked lunches for the past month, and despite vigilant carb counting up through dinner, I am consuming too much food without exercising.   Now that the scale has sailed past my comfort zone, my blood glucose meter is laughing at me as I eat another chunk of cheddar cheese and then sneak another cookie meant for treating my husband's occasional hypoglycemia.    Still, the motivation to start moving is practically non-existent.&nbs... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433115 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:12:42 +0100 3433115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262906&cid=t_108873_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2F_-LLHaTRFGI%2F This article may help you think about the issues involved. Burnout is subtle. It creeps up on you slowly. How do you know if you are burning out? I know well the face of burnout. I found myself questioning my motives, feeling guilty, and being greatly misunderstood. Sometimes I was shamed for not “working the program!” What are the signs of burnout? As a professional counsellor I have researched burnout. According to the best research available on the subject there are three aspects of burnout: 1. Perception of Inequity/Unfairness/Injustice When you start to feel like you are getting the short end of the deal, being mistreated, under-appreciated, the program is not working for you… You may be burning out. 2. Emotional Exhaustion When you start to run out of emotional gas you know som... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262906 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:59:00 +0100 3262906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243965&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fsubtle-accusations.html Sometimes it’s the incessant sense of failure with diabetes that gets me down.  It’s not so much about strangers making stupid comments, or even me beating myself up for not doing a perfect job of managing my BG levels every day…  it’s more about the subtle accusations of people closer to me, those who I [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243965 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:08 +0100 3243965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082612&cid=t_108873_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fare-you-burning-out%2F This article may help you think about the issues involved. Burnout is subtle. It creeps [...] (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082612 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:51:00 +0100 3082612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912249&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F21%2Fthe-4-kinds-of-friends-you-need-in-your-life%2F You hear about peer pressure when you are the sixth grade, but no one talks about it once you’ve graduated from college, have a job, and especially once you’re mature enough to find a mate and make babies. But the kind of folks you hang with influence you more than you think. Peer pressure never goes away. Multiple studies show that human beings unconsciously and consciously mimic the behaviors of those around them. Folks hanging out with optimists become optimists themselves. Women who cheat on their husbands dally with other cheaters. In his insightful book, “Bounce: Living the Resilient Life,” psychology professor Robert Wicks recommends that we invite into our circle of friends four types of people: the prophet, the cheerleader, the harasser, and guides. By incl... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912249 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:33 +0100 2912249 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2894717&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FybjorPb6qMs%2Fthe-bottom-line.php This has been one of the hardest posts for me to write, and I have been writing it and deleting it for a few days now because I can't figure out what I want to say. Basically it comes down to this: I am tired of diabetes. I am tired of writing about it. I am tired of reading about it. I am tired of answering questions. I am tired of carb counting. I am tired of changing my pump sites. I am tired of refilling my insulin pump. I am tired of knowing that the routine I am so tired of will never change. I don't want anyone to think that I am not taking care of myself. I am. I might not be checking my blood sugar 8-12 times a day like I used to - but I am still checking. I am taking my insulin with every meal. I am doing the bottom line tasks that are required of me. I almost feel like I shoul... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2894717 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:26 +0100 2894717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838881&cid=t_108873_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F28%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2009-vol-302-no-12%2F Contents Fade fave: Association of an educational program in mindful communication with burnout, empathy and attitudes among primary care physicians. Fade skinny: Primary care physicians report high levels of distress, which is linked to burnout, attrition, and poorer quality of care. Programs to reduce burnout before it results in impairment are rare; data on these programs are scarce. The article aims to determine whether an intensive educational program in mindfulness, communication, and self-awareness is associated with improvement in primary care physicians’ well-being, psychological distress, burnout, and capacity for relating to patients. Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Burnout, Distress, Educational Programme, General Practitioners, GPs, Psychological Stress, ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838881 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:31:37 +0100 2838881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820521&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FaIMRZjdAZ64%2F This post is part of Newly DX Week on Diabetes Daily. I ALWAYS followed the rules.  I kept my A1C's under 6.0.  I checked my bg's, counted every chip that went in my mouth and I never ate more than 2 carb choice's per meal. In October 2007, I suffered from a Diabetes burn out.  I got tired of testing my bg's.  I took my pills every morning, before lunch and during dinner w/o checking my bg's.  Whenever Scott asked my how my bg's were doing, I always said fine.  I lied to him and I lied to myself.  My lie caught up with me December 2007 my mother in law came to visit.  She asked how diabetes was doing. I let her know everything was going good.  I decided to check pull my meter out to check my bg's...OH MY! I couldn't believe ... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820521 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100 2820521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2788683&cid=t_108873_101_f&fid=38968&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoconoparamedic.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fone-day-at-time.html That's how I'm taking things. It's hard at times. I've never felt this crispy in my career; however, I am not nor will I ever let it affect my patient care.The Buddhas are back on the dashboard. My partner busts my balls incessantly about it, but it helps me through it.I'm off the box for a week; gots all my wisdom teef pulled. Hopefully I don't become 4 times dumber.I'll be visiting Frankie again for the weekend, and I'm bringing my girlfriend with me. She's excited, and so am I.Speaking of the girlfriend. I must tell you guys (all 5) of you, that having my girlfriend support my and stand by me during this turmoil makes it much easier to go through the days. If you have a significant other and he/she stands by you during times like these, they are a keeper.I'll try to keep up on the blog;... Pocono Paramedic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2788683 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:39:00 +0100 2788683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2788684&cid=t_108873_101_f&fid=38968&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpoconoparamedic.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fput-fork-in-me-im-done.html I'm done with this so-called "profession."I'm sick and tired of f.ing retarded providers dragging us down, and keeping us from advancing.I'm sick and tired of managers, supervisors, and administrators who treat the crews like shit, blame everything on us, but won't get rid of the dead weight.I'm sick and tired of managers, supervisors, and administrators always treating the dead weight with preference, while shitting on the great providers and workers. I'm sick and tired of busting my ass, doing the right thing, and treating my patients well, only to be dumped on and treated like shit.I'm sick and tired of hearing the same excuses, saying that the dead weight can't be dropped, "because people need to be on the truck."I'm sick and tired of the people who can't grow the f. up, come in, and d... Pocono Paramedic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2788684 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:07:00 +0100 2788684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964268&cid=t_108873_85_f&fid=36195&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.tesstermulo.com%2F%3Fp%3D543 Have you ever felt being drained emotionally at work or developed the dehumanized view that your clients/patients/customers deserved their troubles?  Have you ever developed the tendency to rate yourself negatively, with regards to your performance at work? If you have answered yes to all the questions, then perhaps, you may be suffering from a burnout (ICD Z73.0). Burnout is a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or development of cynicism towards work and people in the workplace, and reduced personal accomplishment.  Health care workers are prone to experiencing this, as they work with people, most of the time, people who are ill and who may be stressed on their own, thus, may be transferring these overwhelming emotions upon their caretakers to ease their b... Prudence, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964268 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:35:26 +0100 1964268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723520&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F371419586%2Fless-than-perfect.php I am a big fan of spreadsheets.  Not only do I use about ten different ones each day at my job as an accounting clerk, but I keep track of finances at home as well.   Even diabetes care is... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723520 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:42:53 +0100 1723520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1711789&cid=t_108873_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2F367553496%2Fwhat-can-i-say-what-should-i-say.php Here's the deal. I've had diabetes for a long time, long enough that I've gotten used to the daily annoyances. Sometimes my control is better than others. My focus on the disease varies from week to week. It's like an... (Source: Diabetes Daily) Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1711789 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:42:18 +0100 1711789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1660723&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F28%2Fare-you-burning-out%2F Burnout is subtle. It creeps up on you slowly. How do you know if you are burning out? I know well the face of burnout. I found myself questioning my motives, feeling guilty, and being greatly misunderstood. Sometimes I was shamed for not “working enough!” I found very few helpful resources. I discovered that most people did not understand the causes and signs of burnout. What are the signs of burnout? As a professional counselor I have researched burnout. According to the best research available on the subject there are three aspects of burnout: 1. Perception of Inequity/Unfairness/Injustice When you start to feel like you are getting the short end of the deal, being mistreated, under-appreciated… You may be burning out. Equity means that you get at least enough “payment” t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1660723 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:24:38 +0100 1660723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653737&cid=t_108873_90_f&fid=37832&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrdyer.edublogs.org%2F2008%2F05%2F25%2Fday-25-gone-hiking%2F The task for the day is to Take a Break. I saw this before today and decided to set something up in advance to take the day off (which is nice because it’s in the middle of a three day weekend). This image of sitting on top of a mountain is perfect for my Take a [...] (Source: Ruminations of an Online Instructor MD) Ruminations of an Online Instructor MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653737 Sun, 25 May 2008 15:03:18 +0100 2653737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1715298&cid=t_108873_90_f&fid=37832&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrdyer.edublogs.org%2F2008%2F05%2F25%2Fday-25-gone-hiking%2F The task for the day is to Take a Break. I saw this before today and decided to set something up in advance to take the day off (which is nice because it’s in the middle of a three day weekend). This image of sitting on top of a mountain is perfect for my Take a [...] (Source: Ruminations of an Online Instructor MD) Ruminations of an Online Instructor MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1715298 Sun, 25 May 2008 15:03:18 +0100 1715298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1397863&cid=t_108873_105_f&fid=36529&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdocsontheweb.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Ffollow-money.html America, here's what happens when you remove market forces from physician compensation. Seen above is a flier for a seminar where MDs can learn how to do botox injections and other cosmetic procedures for... drum roll please... money. Wonder where young Doc Jones went? He quit working under EMTALA and opened a botox clinic. I know the plastics guys hate this and I don't blame them... botox injections are expensive when done by an expert and Doc Jones might screw up a few faces before he gets the hang of it. Hope someone is there to replace him in the ER, and I hope that someone knows Vfib from normal sinus. Good luck patients! (Source: M.D.O.D.) M.D.O.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1397863 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:09:00 +0100 1397863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1208968&cid=t_108873_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F229688710%2F Below you have a very insightful article on stress by one of our new Expert Contributors, Gregory Kellet, a researcher at UCSF. Enjoy! (Credit for Pic of Victoria Crater in Mars: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, via Wikipedia).  ---------------------------------------------- “My brain is…fried, toast, frazzled, burnt out.” How many times have you said or heard one version or another of these statements. Most of us think we are being figurative when we utter such phrases, but research shows that the biological consequences of sustained high levels of stress may have us being more accurate than we would like to think. Crash Course on Stress Our bodies are a complex balancing act between systems working full time to keep us alive and well. This balancing act is constantly adapting to th... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1208968 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:39:22 +0100 1208968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1177672&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F25%2Ffive-tips-to-bust-job-burnout%2F Virtually everyone will face the prospect of job burnout at one point. Whether you’re an office worker or a carpenter, a salesperson or a doctor, job burnout occurs when we become dissatisfied with and overwhelmed by our current job and can’t really identify what’s wrong. We’ve gathered together five tips to help identify possible problems and some quick solutions that may help you better bust job burnout. 1. Combat boredom A lot of people get bored with their jobs, plain and simple. They no longer find the job challenging, or find that the job’s daily routine has become incredibly uninteresting. A job you once looked forward to starting at the beginning of the day now is something you dread. You can combat job boredom a number of ways. Spice up your curre... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1177672 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:35:11 +0100 1177672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2523832&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36019&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fcaregiver%2F%7E3%2FI2AUmYo9qRk%2Fremedy-for-caregiver-burnout-and.html Introducing Patti Wilikins with Genworth Financial at (512) 970-3428. She can help with Long Term Care Insurance and answer concerns on caring for yourself when getting older. Who Pays for Long Term Care? In the past 12 months, how many conversations have you had about LTC? Caring for aging relatives can quickly climb the ladder of stress, depression, and isolation. Family caregivers find themselves consumed with the elder's life! I've watched my own siblings shred apart when worrying about our dad. A hard topic to bring to family meetings is; "When does dad go to the nursing home?" We struggled with that question for a year.I watched my two older sisters labor with that senior event - well, actually, they battled more with guilt the whole time dad went downhill and finally made the grueli... Working Caregiver blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2523832 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:20:00 +0100 2523832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1126461&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36019&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fcaregiver%2F%7E3%2F209946911%2Fremedy-for-caregiver-burnout-and.html Caring for aging relatives can quickly climb the ladder of stress, depression, and isolation. Family caregivers find themselves consumed with the elder's life! I've watched my own siblings shred apart when worrying about our dad. A hard topic to bring to family meetings is; "When does dad go to the nursing home?" We struggled with that question for a year.I watched my two older sisters labor with that senior event - well, actually, they battled more with guilt the whole time dad went downhill and finally made the grueling decision to move him to the nursing home. I hated it. I hated the fact we could no longer care for him, we were thankless adult children and could not continue to do for him what he did for us. We then had the horrifying experience watching him resist moving to the "old f... Working Caregiver blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1126461 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:20:00 +0100 1126461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1079851&cid=t_108873_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F196683468%2Fwill_your_brain_burn_out_or_bu.html Before you answer the question about burning out or burning strong … check out the lists below - and choose one of the two that describes you best.Would colleagues, for instance,  see you most today in the top or bottom list? Burning out Instructions: 1. Criticize any failures you spot in your day.2. Vent to somebody who’s kind enough to listen.3. Rewire your brain for chemicals that refuel.4. Shrink your brain with stress that shuts it down.5. Speak meta messages that hide what you mean.Burning strong Formula:1. Create one solution to a stubborn problem.2. Improve one routine response to a challenge at work.3. Diminish your day through cortisol chemicals.4. Laugh at yourself and get others laughing too.5. Engage others rather than talk at them.Which of these tw... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1079851 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:29:48 +0100 1079851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1048706&cid=t_108873_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fdetoxing-from-work.html Talking with an acquaintance at a cafe this evening, I mentioned that I'm on a leave of absence from work due to stress and overwork. Her response was, "Oh, so you're detoxing from work?" I didn't have to think about it for more than a moment before answering, "Absolutely. By the way, can I use that phrase?" She nodded approvingly.Detoxing from work. How apt. How utterly appropriate. When work becomes toxic, one ultimately becomes ostensibly inebriated with stress. And what, pray tell, are the signs and symptoms of such an inebriation? Impaired mental faculties; poor coordination; impaired coping; altered interpersonal relationships; sub-optimal self-care; emotional lability; impaired decision-making; stress-related illness. So, when one suffers from chronic inebriation, one must detox, w... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1048706 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:48:38 +0100 1048706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1047726&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Falzheimers-day-care-center-participants.html Relief for exhausted caregivers can be obtained when a senior with Alzheimer's is able to attend a Day Care Center. For example, today's post is the story of a local Alzheimer's Day Care Center, The Santa Maria Wisdom Center, part of the Life Steps Foundation. It is highly recommended by one of my friends whose 82 year old mother participates. Stella Carrasco, 63, is the sole caregiver for her mother, Mary Chaparro, 82, who has Alzheimer's. They are pictured in the photo on this post at a local Craft Fair. They gave me permission to write about them on the internet so that other people could read about their story.At 9 am a special bus run by the Wisdom Center picks up Mary, in Oceano, California. Between 3:30 and 4 pm the Wisdom Center bus brings her back home. The Wisdom Center provides ... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1047726 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:50:00 +0100 1047726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1035575&cid=t_108873_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Frecently-anonymous-commenter-on-digital.html Recently, an anonymous commenter on Digital Doorway responded to a post I wrote about nurses and stress. He or she wrote the following:"One major reason why nurses are stressed is because hospitals are understaffed. Management has been able to get away with this understaffing because they don't have to pay for workload-related chronic stress injuries. "This is discrimination against psychologically injured workers who succumb to excessive WORKLOAD by getting depression or other chronic stress diseases."The hard-working employee who sustains a mental injury due to overwork is left without compensation which means they usually then go through a downward spiral of bankruptcy, loss of home, loss of pension and all the further stress that goes along with poverty."No wonder we have a health care... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1035575 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:43:00 +0100 1035575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025351&cid=t_108873_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fnurses-and-stress-rant.html Thanks to a comment on yesterday's post, I was recommended to read this article on stress and healthcare workers. Brief and to the point, the article elucidates that Canadian "nurses, doctors and lab technicians have the highest levels of stress related to their jobs" of all interviewees, with 45 percent reporting that there work was "quite" or "extremely" stressful.The International Labor Organization has identified nursing as an industry with relatively high levels of stress and burnout. In identifying the sources of stress in nursing, they elucidate thus:"The role of nursing is associated with multiple and conflicting demands imposed by nurse supervisors and managers, and by medical and administrative staff. Such a situation appears to lead to work overload and possibly to role conflict... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025351 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:00:00 +0100 1025351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=988421&cid=t_108873_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fvicarious-traumatization.html After eleven years of providing direct nursing care---all in ambulatory settings, mind you---I wonder when it will be time to take a break and approach my work in the healthcare field from another vantage point. While I, like many nurses, thrive on the interpersonal relationships which nursing engenders, I also long for a rest from the emotional tugging which is part and parcel of my work.But what is it about that "emotional tugging" that is so exhausting, you ask? The answer, to a large extent, is vicarious traumatization, wherein the act of bearing witness to the trauma of others can lead to internalization of trauma and psychic distress by the clinician. Several studies cited on the American Psychological Association website conclude that clinicians with their own personal trauma histor... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=988421 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:47:00 +0100 988421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=964549&cid=t_108873_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fnurse-burnout-fried-nerves-and.html Please feel free to surf over to Nurse Linkup to read my latest article published there, specifically about nurses and burnout. (Source: Digital Doorway) Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=964549 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:00:00 +0100 964549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=912312&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fbook-elder-rage-or-take-my-father.html When my friends call me, to talk about their problems taking care of their parents, who need help but refuse help, I am going to advise them after this to read Jacqueline Marcell's compassionate and humorous book, "Elder Rage, or Take My Father...Please!". The book, which is about "how to survive caring for an aging parent" asks "Are you at your wit's end with elder care, and coping with an elderly loved one who...Makes unreasonable demands, wanting all of your time?Is experiencing memory loss, dementia/Alzheimer's?Has become depressed, manipulative, distrustful, or hostile?Refuses any mention of caregiving or eldercare help?"The list sounded very familiar to me. It reads just like the things my friends say when they call me for help or for a listening ear.A look at the chapter titles had ... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=912312 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:20:00 +0100 912312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=903917&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fdont-walk-caregiver-path-alone-on.html In Michigan ten billboards with the message "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" have been placed. The message is the theme for The Caregivers Resource Network, a Michigan based organization. At their website caregivers can take a Self-Check Survey on Personal Well Being, that includes 15 questions to measure physical and psychological problems that caregivers often experience.The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" campaign and the health checklist for caregivers point to the caregivers' needs for resources to help with the often overwhelming job of caregiving.Examples of problems on the caregivers' checklist include the following:Felt completely overwhelmedFelt lonelyBeen edgey or irritableHad a crying spellFelt ill (headaches, etc.)The "Don't Walk the Caregiver Path Alone" billboards... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=903917 Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:49:00 +0100 903917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=894350&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fself-care-for-caregiver-but-who-has.html A good night's sleep, a breakfast of high protein cereal, and a long, slow walk are some of the ways I have been taking steps for self-care of myself, as a caregiver. But, I know that for many caregivers having the time available for self-care is difficult or impossible, like a luxury. The recent article on CNN about Caregiver Syndrome gave a name to the effects of caregiving stress and emphasized how important it is for caregivers to use self-care. The previous post on this blog explains an article and study that shows Alzheimer's caregivers are at risk for a shortened life.Regarding my own self-care, now that I'm 55 years old I have joined a local seniors group, the Central Coast Seniors, located at 1580 Railroad St., Oceano, California, and the phone is (805) 481-7886. I plan to take so... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894350 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:00:00 +0100 894350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=836032&cid=t_108873_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2007%2F08%2F31%2Fsame-old-same-old%2F A quick entry, just to say that I’ve posted at least once in August. I continue to visit my mother three times each week.  Some days I find her settled, other days–like today–find her agitated.  She’s usually fretting about someone she cannot quite identify.  Today it was someone named “Lily” (the name of my recently-departed dog) who might be coming for supper, but my mother didn’t have any money and what should she do if Lily didn’t show up? I can tell within seconds of arriving what her mood is.  On days like today she is enormously relieved to see me, as if I am bringing with me the answer to all her worries.  When she realizes that I am not, her expression tightens.  I try to change the subject, to reassure her that I will take car... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=836032 Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:21:38 +0100 836032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811336&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36018&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcaregiversbeacon.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fcaregiver-burnout.html Caregivers need to have time to recharge their own batteries in order to go on assisting others.Research shows that caregivers are often less healthy than non-caregivers, and that they often neglect themselves in order to take care of others.http://www.//aarp.org/states/co/co-caregiver/caregiver_health.html , part of the website at the AARP(American Association of Retired Persons), has an article discussing the exhaustion, stresses, and health problems of caregivers. The article discusses signs of caregiver burnout and what to do.Because caregivers are focused on the needs of others, they may not take time for their own rest, exercise, relaxation, or social time.Family members who are caregivers may feel guilty about not doing enough and overload themselves until their own health and menta... The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Links, Ideas, News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811336 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:11:00 +0100 811336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807626&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36019&url=http%3A%2F%2Fworkingcaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fcaregiver-stress-options.html Reading information on "taking time out for yourself" can help with imbalances. Work/life responsibilities is one of the biggest imbalances we seek to mellow out. And yoga can help with us with that. According to Timothy Burgin of YogaBasics.com says the key to weight management is to take time out of your busy schedule to create the right conditions to heal imbalances in your body, mind, or emotions that may be contributing to a weight problem and even stress. So to gain balance; keep your stress levels manageable, and creating mind-body harmony. By completing the routines and practicing the breathing and visualization techniques on YogaBasics, you are well on your way to creating the right conditions. You now have a wealth of information and new stress-management skills at your fingertip... Working Caregiver blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807626 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:10:00 +0100 807626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807634&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36019&url=http%3A%2F%2Fworkingcaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fworking-caregivers-silent-population.html When reading articles about working family caregivers, we are often times called The Silent Population. Makes me think why are we silent? You'd think with juggling all that we do, we'd be screaming for help! But we don't. So then that makes me wonder if that's why there such a thing as Caregiver Stress? Or how about Caregiver Burnout? It reminds me of a woman (I'll call her Jane to keep this blog easy to follow) in my office who's in the Sandwich Generation - not only does Jane belong to the Silent Generation but she's labeled Sandwich too! Anyway, Jane has children who are ages 10 and 14, very active in school and sport activities. She also has a mom living with her who's had several strokes and is confined to a wheel chair. Jane supposedly works full-time but is rarely on the job "full-t... Working Caregiver blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807634 Fri, 22 Jun 2007 01:50:00 +0100 807634 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807637&cid=t_108873_158_f&fid=36019&url=http%3A%2F%2Fworkingcaregiver.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fbuzz-on-caregiving-burnout.html Most family caregivers are thrown into the endeavor of helping their aging mom, dad, grandparent or relative soon after a senior event. That's what happened to me and my siblings. That's probably, as those of you who have experienced, is the worst time to start searching for elder care issues and solutions. Think about it, if you wait till after a senior event to do your research, aren't your elder care decisions based on emotion rather than a prudent, well thought out plan for the ones you love?Many of us ignore that ever looming endeavor - caring for an aging relative as long as possible. Why? Because who wants to admit to aging and getting old? Not me! I hate the fact that I'm over 50! There's so much stigma in our society on growing old. Isn't that why we're so interested in topics on ... Working Caregiver blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807637 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:13:00 +0100 807637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=676645&cid=t_108873_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2007%2F06%2F10%2Fdecision-fatigue%2F My mother is much quieter when I visit now. Today being Sunday, we took off for our usual lunch and drive. My sister comes along, as does Jasper the Sheltie (who really doesn’t like going for a ride, surprisingly–he runs and hides when I approach with his harness. This is pretty uncharacteristic for a dog and I’m hoping he grows out of it). Garden Manor has a Sunday afternoon barbeque, and today my mother seemed uncertain about whether she wanted to stay for that. Making even a simple decision is almost impossible for her at this point. A choice between coffee and hot chocolate, for example, is prolonged by her insistance that someone else pick for her. It’s a frustrating development at a time when I want to preserve what little choice she has in her life. At first ... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=676645 Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:46:12 +0100 676645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513070&cid=t_108873_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2006%2F12%2F30%2Fassisted-living-pt-5%2F This is the first entry I’ve written from my own home. Last night was the first time in two years that I’ve slept in my own bed. I’m having a decidedly mixed reaction to the present. My mother moved into her assisted living unit on Thursday, an experience that lived up to all expectations. I haven’t visited her yet, on the advice of the staff, but I’ve talked twice to her on the telephone. She is extremely angry at me. The staff tell me that she is doing quite well–although not participating yet in activities–and has interacted with the other residents on her unit. But it’ll be a long while before she forgives me. I’ve gone over this and every other option in my head time and time again, and so I know that this is the best I can do for ... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513070 Sun, 31 Dec 2006 04:15:14 +0100 513070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513072&cid=t_108873_137_f&fid=35352&url=http%3A%2F%2Fyellowwallpaper.net%2Fblog1%2F2006%2F12%2F10%2Fheart-andor-mind%2F Two days ago my cousin telephoned, and my mother answered. I listened to her side of their conversation and thought, “Have I been dreaming? Is she really sick?” She handed the phone to me at one point. “She sounds great,” my cousin said to me. Is this the woman I visited in the nursing home a little over a month ago? The one who was acting out, who wanted to kill herself, who claimed she’d been raped? Oh, we still see the disconnects (she kept referring to my sister as “he” earlier today), but I can deal with that. I can deal with her thinking that I’m her sister, or expecting my father to come home for dinner, because those disconnects don’t alter my mother’s personality, her “self.” She remains essentially herself, o... The Yellow Wallpaper blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513072 Mon, 11 Dec 2006 01:44:28 +0100 513072