Dr. Jessi Gold, Chief Wellness Officer at the University of Tennessee, passionately addresses healthcare worker burnout and mental health. She shares personal insights into the emotional toll healthcare professionals face, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights the critical importance of empathy in patient care and the need for cultural shifts to support mental well-being in the industry. Dr. Gold also discusses systemic issues, advocating for legal reforms and better support systems for healthcare workers to combat burnout.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Childhood Pressure
Dr. Gold's childhood emphasized academic achievement, especially due to her older siblings' Ivy League acceptances.
This fostered a perfectionist mindset, where good grades were rewarded, and emotions were seen as obstacles to success.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Forgetting James
Dr. Gold forgot a returning patient, James, during a telehealth session amidst pandemic burnout.
This deeply impacted her, highlighting the emotional toll and depersonalization of burnout.
insights INSIGHT
Burnout Manifestations
Burnout in healthcare manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.
This often goes unnoticed as it is normalized, and healthy coping mechanisms are neglected.
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In this profoundly moving memoir, Paul Kalanithi chronicles his transformation from a medical student to a neurosurgeon at Stanford, and finally to a patient confronting his own mortality. Diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at 36, Kalanithi grapples with fundamental philosophical questions about what makes a life worth living in the face of death. The book is a reflection on the challenge of facing death and the relationship between doctor and patient, written with eloquence and intelligence. Kalanithi's writing delves into his lifelong love of literature and his attempt to connect the sciences and humanities to gain a greater understanding of humanity.
How Do You Feel?
One Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine
Jessi Gold, MD, MS
In 'How Do You Feel?', Dr. Jessi Gold delves into the complexities of mental health within the healthcare industry. The book follows Dr. Gold and four of her patients as they navigate the unspoken mental and physical burdens of their work. Through personal therapy sessions, stories from her practice, and scientific research, Gold highlights the struggles of healthcare workers with burnout, perfectionism, and empathy. The book emphasizes the importance of self-care and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues in healthcare, reminding readers that caring for others begins with caring for oneself.
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
Dr. Jessi Gold (@DrJessiGold) is the Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee as well as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry. Her main advocacy focus has been burnout in the healthcare industry, which includes issues like doctors being trained to stuff emotions, increased suicide rates for healthcare workers, and general issues with the overall healthcare system. Look for her book How Do You Feel: One Doctor’s Search For Humanity in Medicine
This episode is sponsored by Vimergy. Go to www.Vimergy.com and use offer code MENTAL for free shipping. Save up to 12% with their mix and save program.
If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG for his woodworking which is transitioning from @MIHHfurniture to its new handle @ShapedFurniture
Mental Illness Happy Hour 
