Prioritizing Mental Health in Your Healthcare Practice: Combating Employee Burnout

Caring for Your Staff's Well-being to Ensure Quality Patient Care

In healthcare, patient well-being is always seen as number one. It's easy to overlook the well-being of the healthcare professionals themselves. Yet, the mental health and well-being of your staff play a crucial role in the quality of care they provide. In this blog, we'll discuss the importance of mental health in your healthcare practice and show to handle employee burnout.

The Hidden Challenge: Employee Burnout in Healthcare

Healthcare professionals often work long hours, face high-stress situations, and carry the emotions of patient care. These factors can contribute to employee burnout. This is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. Oftentimes, it reduces job performance and decreases job satisfaction.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step in addressing this issue. Common symptoms include:

1. Chronic fatigue: This is referring to feeling constantly drained and lacking energy. Are employees relaying these feelings when they first wake up in the morning? Do they mention sleeping troubles? Employees suffering from chronic fatigue will be dragging themselves to work and unable to start or focus on their job.

2. Cynicism and detachment: A growing sense of disengagement from work and colleagues. This is     especially prominent when a previously extroverted colleague shifts drastically. There are situations   where it could be a bad day. We all experience those but be aware of it and recognize how long it has   been going on.

3. Reduced productivity: This refers to decreased efficiency in job performance. Workplace stress can weigh down employees who are feeling burnt out. This could leave them feeling overwhelmed, resulting in low productivity levels. Becoming even more behind on work will further stress them, thus, creating an unhealthy cycle.

4. Physical and emotional symptoms: This can be headaches, stomachaches, anxiety, or depression. These can all link to burnout.

Creating a Supportive Work Environment

Prioritizing mental health in your practice starts with creating a supportive work environment. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This might involve flexible scheduling, ensuring adequate time off, and respecting personal time.

2. Mental Health Resources: Provide access to mental health resources, such as counseling services. Make it clear that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

3. Stress Management: Offer stress management workshops and tools. Techniques like mindfulness meditation or stress-reduction training can be beneficial for healthcare professionals.

4. Peer Support: Foster support between team members about their experiences and challenges. This will create a sense of community and understanding.

5. Regular Check-Ins: Conduct regular check-ins with your staff to assess their well-being. Listen to their concerns and address any issues promptly.

Leading by Example

As a healthcare entrepreneur, your behavior sets the tone for the workplace. Demonstrate the importance of self-care and mental health by prioritizing your own well-being. Encourage open conversations about mental health and destigmatize seeking help when needed. If comfortable, feel free to share your own mental health journey and how you balance your work and personal life.

The Ripple Effect: Quality Patient Care

By prioritizing the mental health of your staff, you're not only benefiting them but also improving patient care. Healthcare professionals who are mentally healthy are more likely to provide compassionate care. They are better equipped to handle the demands and challenges of the profession. This ultimately helps your patients.

Prioritizing mental health in your healthcare practice is not only an ethical consideration. It's essential for the well-being of your staff and the quality of patient care. Knowing the signs of burnout, creating a supportive workplace, and leading by example can combat employee burnout. It will also provide a positive feedback loop to the patients.

Savannah Lyle is the Community Outreach Coordinator and Executive Marketing Assistant for Mindsight Behavioral Group but when she isn’t working, she loves to get involved in the Deaf/HOH community. She goes to a variety of Deaf events and has a passion for the language. She also loves surrounding herself with friends and family. You can usually find her doing something creative in her free time.

Next Steps:

• Looking for more systems guidance? Check out Systemizer School! This 8-week class helps business owners dominate through order and efficiency!
• Looking for hands-on support in your healthcare business? Mindsight Partners is the only expert-led membership program for group practice owners looking to scale their business.
• Looking for a conference to change your practice? Meet You In Kentucky is an annual conference focused on the 3 C’s of a practice: Company, Clinicians, and Clients. 
•  Need more from Kasey? Her book Fix This Next for Healthcare Providers is out now! Grab your copy from Amazon.  Her new book, In Search Of You, is coming out March 2024 is available for pre-order! Grab your copy from Amazon.