You're overwhelmed with patient loads. How do you keep empathy and compassion intact?

The overwhelming nature of healthcare pressures makes it incredibly challenging to focus and work to best of our ability; one innovation we have trialled in a busy ED is to encourage a wellness focus, including mindfulness moments. These can be incorporated as part of everyday repetitive actions - when doing the 5 moments of hand hygiene, when opening a door, when shifting from one cubicle to the next. Just taking the opportunity to briefly focus on your breathing, and noticing 5 things - maybe looking for f colours, or 5 sounds. Short, manageable 'taking a breather' moments.

Another approach is to focus on building strong patient relationships. Prioritize meaningful interactions by asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest in their lives beyond their medical conditions. Use brief moments between tasks to engage personally with patients, ensuring they feel heard and valued. Additionally, implementing team-based care can distribute the workload and allow for more comprehensive, compassionate interactions. This approach fosters a supportive environment where both patients and healthcare providers feel connected and cared for.

This is a good discourse because most physicians find themselves at this crossroads. It’s difficult to do practice both at the same time but over time I have learnt to listen to my body, take breaks, ask for help and breathing exercises so I am more in control of my emotions and what’s happening.

For me, the first step would be to KNOW YOUR LIMIT. This will ensure you take a break once you start feeling overwhelmed, eat, when you get hungry etc... or even take a nap if you need to. The end goal is for patient satisfaction and for that to happen, you need to be well first and if you are overwhelmed, yii will take it out on patients which will be defeating the purpose. Thanks

First, I prioritize self-care by taking regular breaks, ensuring adequate sleep, eating healthily, and practicing mindfulness. Setting clear boundaries is also crucial; I define my work hours, say no to excessive tasks, and delegate when possible. Seeking support from peer groups or professional counseling provides emotional relief and practical advice. Staying updated with the latest medical practices increases confidence and efficiency. Lastly, regular physical exercise boosts my mood and reduces stress, enabling me to maintain empathy and compassion for my patients.

In my experience setting boundaries can be an underutilized strategy. The word boundary is a big word for some small steps that can be taken toward improved self-compassion in a taxing environment. Some minor adjustments such as scheduling breaks, starting the day earlier for more quiet time, or turning off notifications are just a few minimal adjustments that can make a major impact on the emotional exhaustion connected to heavy patient loads. It’s helpful to self-advocate to give yourself the best conditions to do the hard yet meaningful work of caring with compassion. However, it’s important to remember that compassion starts at home.

this is harder than it sounds - we are often facing the realities of staff shortages, increased need in the health service setting and a desire to help our colleagues and our patients. This can result in the loss of perspective, and the sense we need to keep giving and work harder, even when we can no longer function effectively. The importance of working as a team, helping colleagues to recognise when they are in need of breaks, and working together to set boundaries and create a culture that acknowledges the limitations and makes it ok to speak out and support each other is essential. We cannot be effective clinicians, leaders or colleagues if we are unable to maintain perspective ane care for ourselves and each other.

When overwhelmed, I maintain empathy by prioritizing self-care, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on quality patient interactions. Regular exercise, mindfulness, and staying updated with medical practices help reduce stress and prevent burnout. These strategies keep my compassion intact despite a heavy workload.

In my experience, nurses will often find the most support from informal de-briefs with peers, and I suspect the same is true for most health professionals. The ability to talk with someone who can understand the issues, and also the privacy concerns and professional boundaries, allows a sense of connection we do not always achieve with others. Knowing that we can talk through concerns without needing to explain all the nuances that make up the healthcare context can enable a greater sense of compassion, recognition and understanding. We need to look to our colleagues for support, but also recognise the warning signs when they might be under stress

Reflection is often viewed as a personal practice and there is value in that. We most commonly think of self-reflection when the practice is presented. However, I want to encourage the practice of reflecting with an invested party who you trust. Often times we don’t see ourselves clearly. It is helpful to invite others’ perspectives in and explore whether we have blind spots. When serving others it can become easy to be externally focused and conscious of our intentions but objectivity from another can aid in ensuring that we are practicing according to our values and standards. So reflect often but make sure some of that time includes the objectivity of a trust party who can serve as a mirror for you!

In my various roles, balancing overwhelming needs with maintaining empathy is crucial. I utilize Holy Noticing, emotional intelligence, spiritual grounding, justice advocacy, and holistic self-care. Seeing each service interaction as a chance to serve a greater purpose and fostering understanding through active listening, I navigate challenges with grace. My dedication to justice advocacy informs my support for workers' well-being. Prioritizing self-care through water consumption, adequate sleep, whole food plant-based eating, exercise, and joyous activities is vital for sustaining health and vitality in caregiving and advocacy.

Be kind to yourself. Take breaks if you’re feeling overwhelmed and drink water during your shifts to stay hydrated. Be kind to your body.

In a season of high emotional demand it’s essential to set one’s intentions. It is normal to find ourselves on autopilot in the helping profession. Routines help us operate with ease and confidence. However, it is also very common for disruptions, disappointments, and setbacks to arise. In an effort to sustain compassionate care setting one’s intentions and preparing for the uncomfortable can assuage the discomfort of harsh realities and challenging situations. Examples of setting one’s intentions include: 1. Entering each encounter with gratitude; 2. Seeking the opportunity to learn in each presenting challenge; and 3. Purposing to deposit joy or laughter for others encountered. In all cases, it’s essential to be intention.

To maintain empathy and compassion under heavy patient loads, prioritize self-care and manage stress through regular breaks and healthy habits. Streamline workflows to reduce unnecessary tasks, delegate responsibilities, and leverage technology for efficiency. Stay present with each patient, practice active listening, and remember the human element of care. Seek support from colleagues and maintain a positive team environment.