ODs Share 3 Keys to Reducing Stress and Preventing Burnout in the Practice
Reducing stress is crucial for facilitating a healthy workplace culture and providing excellent care. AOAExcel talked with five doctors of optometry from a variety of backgrounds and career stages to discuss the importance of mental health and to learn some best practices for reducing stress in the optometric practice.
Key 1: Communication
When it comes to reducing stress, “communication is key,” said Dr. Lori Roberts-Hauser. “Don’t wait until you’re burnt out to communicate. Know what you’re capable of and seek to build an open, honest relationship with your team.” Whether you’re in solo or group practice, make clear communication with colleagues a priority. Dr. Blair Holden agreed: “Having communicative, well-trained, and highly motivated staff members is essential.”
Key 2: Delegation
Along with communication, delegation can also help build a low-stress work environment. “Delegate,” answered Dr. Matthew Jones, when asked how to reduce stress in the workplace. “I’m not always the best at it, but it’s necessary.” Dr. Roberts-Hauser explained further: “Taking care of patients is a team effort. A team with well-defined roles that can support each other while accomplishing tasks will build healthy relationships while advancing your practice’s mission.”
Key 3: Scheduling
Finally, setting yourself up for success with scheduling is crucial to the wellbeing of you and your team. “Leave margin in your schedule,” advised Dr. Lee Peplinski. “When unexpected things come up—and they will— you will have room to handle them. If your schedule is completely full, one small hiccup can throw everything off.” Taking a longer-term perspective, Dr. Dori Carlson reminded us that a career in optometry is a marathon, not a sprint: “You don’t have to work 60 hours per week. If finances allow, consider reducing your daily hours or moving down to 3 days of patient care a week. Do what you can to make it fun and ensure that what you’re doing is making you happy.”
Ultimately, prioritizing communication, delegation, and schedule management are three methods that doctors of optometry can employ to reduce stress in their practice. While not all challenges can be prevented, taking an active approach to identifying and addressing workplace stressors is a beneficial step for preventing burnout and caring for the health of your patients—and the health of your practice.
