Year Three - Sustainability, Resilience and Occupational Health Flashcards
What is resilience ?
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
An emotional competence or a personality characteristic that deals with negative effects of stress and promotes adaptation
How is resilience obtained?
Acquired through life experience
What other characteristics does resilience encompass?
self-efficiency; self- control; self-regulation; planning and perseverance
What personal strengths underpin resilience?
- High frustration tolerance
- Self acceptance
- Self belief
- Humour
- Perspective
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Meaning
What behaviours support resilience?
- Building/ having support networks- positive relationships
- Reflective ability
- Assertiveness
- Avoiding procrastination
- Developing goals- realistic plans and ability / motivation to follow them through
- Time management
- Work-life balance
What are the personal sources of burn out ?
Perfectionism, denial, avoidance, micromanaging, unwilling to seek help, being too conscientious
What are the professional sources of burn out?
Culture of invulnerability
Culture of presenteeism
Blame culture
Silence
What are the systemic sources of burn out?
Over worked Shift work Lack of oversight Chaotic work environments Lack of teamwork, fractured training
What are the initial reactions to situations which may need resilience ?
o Doubt o Anger o Fear o Worry o Misunderstood o Unappreciated o Sorrow o Regret
What are the benefits of resilience?
May lead to reflection which leads to improvement which allows us to learn from our mistakes an return wiser and better than before
What factors aid resilience?
- Intellectual interest: job satisfaction, career progression, variability (if wanted), capacity to develop special interest
- Self-awareness and self-reflection: recognise and accept personal limits, establish boundaries in doctor-patient relationship, less self-critical. Aided by mindfulness based stress reduction
- Time management and work life balance: ensuring time for hobbies, leisure, relaxation, self-expression
- Continuing professional development
- Support including team working: supportive relationships within and out with medicine
- Mentors: help trainees adapt to change and react to stress
How may professional attitudes aid resilience?
o Changing sense of perfectionism, presenteeism, culture of silence
o Better support for those struggling or after difficult events
How may societal attitudes aid resilience?
o Changing culture of blame, reduce perceived threat of complaints
o Public acceptance of mistakes? Patients personal responsibility for health?
How may structural changes aid resilience?
o Improved shift pattern, better work-life balance, less fractures training, regular breaks, a cup of tea
What is an occupational history?
An occupational history is a history of an employers experience in the work force thus far
What can be identified in an occupational histroy?
Identifies exposure to hazards or stresses
Identifies symptomatic pattern in relation to work
Determines duration and intensity of exposure to hazards
Identifies if PPE was used/misused
Identifies protective measures that are put in place
Identifies whether other people are suffering similar sumptoms
What is the fit note?
• Evidence of assessment by a doctor (often their GP) as to whether a patient is fit to work in general; not job specific
What is the purpose of the fit note?
to facilitate early discussion about returning to work and rehabilitation
When is a sick note required?
If the patient has been off for more than 7 days
What are the options for fit notes?
o Phased return to work: start with reduced hours each day and build up- help build capacity and allow time for rehab
o Altered hours: work at different times in the day eg are mornings harder?
o Amended duties: changed in work practice or content eg less time sitting/ breaking up the day differently to allow more movement- shorter surgeries, built in breaks etc
o Workplace adaptations eg changes to seating to support better back
What is the role of an OH specialist?
• Occupational health specialists support and help people stay in work and live full and healthy lives
• They ensure the health and well being of the working population by preventing work-related ill health and providing specialist rehabilitation advice
• They provide independent, impartial advice to employers and employees on the effects of work on health and the effects of health on work
• Help prevent work related ill health
• Advise on fitness to work, workplace safety, the prevention of occupational injuries and disease
• Recommend appropriate adjustments in the workplace to help people stay in work
• Improve the attendance and performance of the workforce- eg assisting in the management of sick absence
• Provide rehabilitation to help people return to work, and give advice on alternative suitable work for people with health problems
• Promote health in the workplace and healthy life styles
• Recommend and implement appropriate policies to maintain a safe and healthy work place
• Conduct research into work related health issues
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations including minimising and eliminating workplace hazards
• Advise on medical health and ill-health retirement
• Modern occupational health requires a multi
disciplinary approach where doctors work alongside a range of associated healthcare professional including nurses, ergonomists, hygienists, occupational health advisors, physiotherapists, psychiatrist, psychologists and therapists
What is the effect of unenployment on health?
Higher mortality
Poorer general health and longstanding illness
Poorer mental health
Higher hospital admission rates/use of healthcare services
What might re-employment do for a person?
Increase self-esteem, general health, mental health, confidence and self worth
Define sustainability?
The ability to continue over a long period of time
