Caring for Ourselves (Award Lecture-APA Vestermark)-View Presentation

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Video Summary

Dr. Sid Zisook, a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, delivered a lecture focused on the critical topic of physician self-care and mental health. Known for founding the UCSD HEAR program and directing the Physician Peer Support Program, Dr. Zisook emphasized the importance of addressing mental health stigma among medical professionals to prevent burnout and suicide. In his lecture, he encouraged an informal, discussion-based approach and highlighted various strategies and tools to enhance personal well-being and counteract the negative impact of medical practice stressors.<br /><br />Dr. Zisook underscored the need for effective differentiation between burnout and depression, as depression has more severe consequences and requires more targeted intervention. He shared personal experiences and those of his colleagues regarding patient suicides, illustrating the trauma healthcare providers endure and the silence that often surrounds these events. To combat this, Dr. Zisook proposes strategies including peer support, proactive plans, and sharing of personal experiences to foster a supportive community.<br /><br />Addressing burnout, he discussed the influence of institutional culture and bureaucracy on mental health, advocating for systemic changes like reduced documentation burdens and enhanced mental health access. Dr. Zisook concluded by highlighting successful initiatives like the UCSD HEAR program, which has significantly contributed to reducing mental health stigma and improving access to care for healthcare providers.<br /><br />Overall, Dr. Zisook's lecture at the conference, where he accepted the Vestermark Psychiatry Educator Award, focused on promoting a culture of openness and support in medical environments, encouraging professionals to prioritize their mental health and well-being.

Keywords

Dr. Sid Zisook

UC San Diego

physician self-care

mental health

burnout prevention

HEAR program

Physician Peer Support

mental health stigma

depression

healthcare providers

systemic changes

Vestermark Psychiatry Educator Award