Steps for talking to your doctor about burnout
The thought of talking to your doctor about burnout may make you feel uneasy. Here are several strategies to ease the process, so things go as smoothly as possible.
Reflect on what you want to accomplish
First and foremost, think about what you want to get from the visit with your doctor. Are you looking to verify if you are burnt out, or are you hoping for resources and treatment? At your appointment, have an idea of what you want to accomplish. And I say this because doctor visits are often cut short, particularly in primary care. You may only have a couple of minutes with your doctor. So go in clear on what your goals are.
Write a list and take it
Reflect before your appointment, put together a list of questions and bring that list with you. You can even consider sending a secure message with your list to your doctor beforehand so that they may be able to go through the questions before your visit. Make the most of your time with your doctor. When you've done the work upfront, it makes a huge difference. You'll likely have more time to focus on the critical issues and get what you want from the visit.
Do your research
It doesn't hurt to do a little reading on your own. Take responsibility for your well-being. Read about burnout and the alternatives as far as treatment and prevention. Be selective of the sources of information. The Internet has some good material but also some not-so-great material. So, consider using reputable sources from peer-reviewed journals and evidence-based experts.
Bring an advocate
Feel free to bring a support person to your appointment. This person should be someone that can take notes and is willing to be an advocate for you. If you're feeling burnt out, you may not be as sharp as you'd like. So having someone else, another set of ears, may be helpful to process what happens during the appointment. Note that we are living in a post-COVID-19 world, there may not be the option of having a loved one with you at your meeting, but you can at least investigate whether your doctor's office allows that accommodation.
Be open and honest
As a health care provider, I appreciate it when someone is candid. When I have an accurate description of what's going on, I can be of most help. So, I encourage you to be honest with your healthcare provider. Trust me, we have seen many things and would prefer to hear the truth rather than what you think we might like to hear.
Review
Once the appointment is over, ask yourself how it went. It's essential to review and reflect on your experiences. It's only through reflection that we can learn and grow. Take the pearls of wisdom you learn from this experience and incorporate them as you see fit.
Remember, these tips are a starting point. These easy strategies may help give you a more meaningful and effective interaction with your doctor. We learn from each other. What methods have worked well for you? Feel free to share below.