Entrepreneurs are more known for IPOs and quirky offices than for saving lives. But the growing field of social entrepreneurs work to create organizations that solve everything from poverty to human trafficking to hunger. Pretty ambitious, huh? In fact, the potent mixture of entrepreneurship and social mission can lead to 100-hour weeks and a high rate of burnout in the field.
So when this scrappy group of social entrepreneurs shared insights on how collaboration and connection can actually help prevent burnout, our ears perked up. Here are the two takeaways we think healthcare providers can use now to help battle burnout:
Connection matters.
We all feel too busy to connect. Whether its a coffee date or a consult, it feels more efficient to keep our nose to the grindstone. We know that collaboration has crucial effects on patient outcomes, but it still doesn't happen as much as it should. So if you need an additional incentive to reach out, take a look at how collaboration and peer support actually prevent healthcare provider burnout. In fact, The New York Times points to isolation as one of the biggest causes of burnout. And as Yeh says, "A study in the UK showed that seeing friends regularly provides as much happiness as an extra $97,000 per year in earnings." That's a lot of happiness from a simple act. So the next time you hesitate, think about yourself -- and the patient will benefit too.
We all feel too busy to connect. Whether its a coffee date or a consult, it feels more efficient to keep our nose to the grindstone. We know that collaboration has crucial effects on patient outcomes, but it still doesn't happen as much as it should. So if you need an additional incentive to reach out, take a look at how collaboration and peer support actually prevent healthcare provider burnout. In fact, The New York Times points to isolation as one of the biggest causes of burnout. And as Yeh says, "A study in the UK showed that seeing friends regularly provides as much happiness as an extra $97,000 per year in earnings." That's a lot of happiness from a simple act. So the next time you hesitate, think about yourself -- and the patient will benefit too.
Insights come from intersections.
Yeh also cites Frans Johansson, who touts “intersectional” thinking (that combines two or more cultures or disciplines) as a cornerstone of innovation. So when you only solve problems yourself or with colleagues from your own practice or speciality, you're giving up key insights that could prompt innovation -- or save a life.
Social entrepreneur Chris Yeh suggest starting small but to commit to connecting -- socially or professionally -- a few times a day. And that's a "best practice" we can get behind.
Curious about using telemedicine to connect and collaborate more?
