Wellbeing for Health Professionals

Perennial presents this Soil of Leadership course led by Dr. Britt Yamamoto and his colleagues

Overview

Research shows that health professionals are at high risk for burnout.^1–4 Many health professionals report at some point in their career experiencing constant physical or emotional exhaustion; being easily irritated and frustrated; the inability to focus or think clearly; and lack of sleep or too much sleep—all symptoms of burnout. These experiences were heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.^5-7

The Wellbeing for Health Professionals is a 10-week course taught by Dr. Britt Yamamoto (Clinical Faculty at University of Washington Department of Global Health), Eslinda Hamzah (Chief Collaboration Officer at Perennial) and Dr. Abbal Koirola (Clinical faculty at Johns Hopkins Medicine), This course is designed to provide evidence-based strategies for enhancing wellbeing by addressing three key elements: Time, Space, and Relationships. Grounded in scientific research, these principles offer practical solutions for improving mental, emotional, and physical health.

References

Wellbeing and Healthcare

Burnout affects up to 50% of healthcare workers, with detrimental effects on both personal wellbeing and patient care outcomes. Studies have shown that burnout correlates with decreased cognitive function, emotional exhaustion, and lower job satisfaction, leading to higher rates of medical errors and staff turnover.¹ Effective interventions, including mindfulness, time management, and fostering supportive relationships, have been shown to mitigate these effects and improve resilience.

1. Why the language we use to describe mental health matters, 2019, Dr. Antonis Koulris, Mental Health Foundation.

Key Components of the Course

Time Management: Research indicates that structured time management reduces stress and enhances both work efficiency and personal wellbeing. This course emphasizes the importance of scheduling breaks and reflection, echoing findings from cognitive neuroscience which highlight the benefits of periodic rest for cognitive recovery and decision-making.
Creating Space: Studies show that creating mental and physical space, such as through environmental modifications or boundary-setting, can improve focus and reduce anxiety in high-stress professions like healthcare. This course provides strategies for creating this space, promoting both productivity and mental health.
Relationships: Strong professional and personal relationships are critical for emotional support and job satisfaction in healthcare settings. Longitudinal studies indicate that healthcare providers who maintain strong social connections report lower stress levels and are less likely to experience burnout.

Course Benefits

By the end of this course, healthcare professionals will have the tools to manage stress, prevent burnout, and maintain personal resilience. The evidence-based practices taught throughout the course are designed to be easily integrated into daily routines, improving both professional performance and personal wellbeing.

Format

This online course has videos, readings, discussion forums, quizzes, and wellbeing assignments.

You can enroll in this course individually or as part of a group of 5 or more participants. Group enrollment allows for collaborative discussions and the opportunity to explore how course ideas relate to your specific cultural and community context. For individual participants, the online discussion boards offer a space for similar interactions and exchanges.

The course is taught in English. Participants should be comfortable with written and spoken English.

Eligibility

This course is geared for health professionals who want to invest in their wellbeing and prevent potential workplace burnout as well as for leaders who want to support members of their team in developing resiliency and sustainability in their careers. The course is well suited to individuals in any position at any level in the workforce.

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Throughout the course, participants will:

Develop a conceptual understanding of wellbeing and its importance in preventing burnout.
Learn how to manage Time, create Space, and cultivate Relationships that support holistic wellbeing.
Integrate Time, Space, and Relationship into personal and professional wellbeing practices.
Identify internal and external obstacles to maintaining wellbeing practices and develop strategies to overcome them.

Topics

Week 1: Introduction to Wellbeing & the Soil of Leadership framework
Week 2: Importance of Wellbeing and the Risk of Burnout
Week 3: Science of Wellbeing & Recognizing Emotional Cues
Week 4: Time as a Resource for Wellbeing
Week 5: Creating Space for Wellbeing
Week 6: Cultivating Relationships for Wellbeing
Week 7: Integrating Time, Space, and Relationship
Week 8: Designing Your Own Wellbeing Practice
Week 9: Overcoming Obstacles & Sustaining Wellbeing Practices
Week 10: Reflection & Continuation

Testimonials from Past Course Participants

“This course enabled me to gain knowledge on the importance of wellbeing and the tools for wellbeing. I have used these tools to connect with my young daughter each evening. This gives me a lot of fulfillment and my daughter enjoys spending more time with me. I have also been able to practice self-compassion and take better care of myself. Professionally, I am now better able to integrate wellbeing practice into my consultancy work.”

“Firstly, this course has taught me to identify burnout in myself and others and in so doing I’m able to help others with coping. Secondly, I find that this course has taught me to always take a pause when I feel things are getting a little stressful. In doing so, I’m able to actively manage the stress levels.”

“In my personal life, juggling motherhood, being a doctor and in school for my master’s, I have learned to separate the issues and be present in each fully without forgetting myself. I am able to be more efficient, more compassionate.”