OMSs’ demanding lifestyle can lead to stress, burnout, substance use and misuse, as well as other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Wellness for OMSs encompasses everything from ergonomics, stress management to suicidal prevention. Social stigma and fear of punitive actions often prevent surgeons from taking care of themselves or seeking help. In this session, various topics concerning well-being will be discussed and resources will be provided to help preserve the longevity of an OMS’s career.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Analyze their own state of physical and emotional wellness and be more cognizant of early signs affecting OMSs’ overall wellness.
Examine why wellness remains a challenge for surgeons.
Explain different aspects of wellness and how these aspects affect surgeons’ overall well-being and patient outcomes.
Be able to navigate wellness resources and help oneself and support other colleagues who might need help.