Episode 142: Burnout presents differently in the high achiever with Dr. Diana Londono
Summary
The latest BOSS podcast features Dr. Diana Londono, a urologist who has experienced burnout twice. We talked about burnout in the high achiever, and how these symptoms can look differently than it does in other people. Dr. Londono shares her personal experiences with burnout, highlighting the physical and emotional manifestations she encountered, such as weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, asthma, chest pain, and joint pain. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout symptoms, which can vary from person to person, and seeking support through resources like coaching, therapy, or support groups.
Self-love, gratitude, and finding purpose are critical in combating burnout. Dr. Londonio discusses the Physician Coach Support Program she created, which offers free and confidential coaching sessions for physicians. We also talked about the Physician Support Line and Physician Anonymous.
The key takeaway is that burnout is a complex issue, especially in the high acheiver that requires a multifaceted approach, including self-care, mindset shifts, and seeking support from others.
Link to the episode in comments.
Chapters
Introduction and Background
The podcast host introduces Dr. Diana Londonio, a urologist who has experienced burnout twice. They discuss the rarity of female urologists, especially Latinas, and Dr. Londonio's work in creating education and support programs for physicians.
Recognizing Burnout Symptoms
Dr. Londonio shares her personal experiences with burnout, highlighting the physical and emotional symptoms she encountered, such as weight loss, hair loss, insomnia, asthma, chest pain, and joint pain. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing burnout symptoms, which can manifest differently in different individuals, and seeking support.
The Role of Self-Love and Gratitude
Dr. Londonio discusses the importance of self-love, gratitude, and finding purpose in combating burnout. She emphasizes the power of words and the need to speak to oneself with love and kindness. She also highlights the significance of prioritizing self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and sleep.
Seeking Support and Resources
The conversation explores various resources available for physicians struggling with burnout, including coaching, therapy, and support groups. Dr. Londonio discusses the Physician Coach Support Program she created, which offers free and confidential coaching sessions for physicians. Other resources mentioned include the Physician Support Line and Physician Anonymous.
Finding Purpose and Remembering Why
Dr. Londonio emphasizes the importance of remembering the purpose and reasons behind choosing a career in medicine. She suggests that reconnecting with the initial motivations and finding joy in serving others can help combat burnout and restore a sense of fulfillment.
Action Items
- Recognize and acknowledge burnout symptoms, which can manifest differently in different individuals, such as dread, cynicism, anger, loss of hope, or physical symptoms like weight loss, insomnia, or joint pain.
- Practice self-love and self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and prioritizing sleep.
- Seek support through resources like coaching, therapy, or support groups, such as the Physician Coach Support Program, Physician Support Line, or Physician Anonymous.
- Cultivate gratitude and find purpose in serving others, remembering the initial motivations for choosing a career in medicine.
- Learn to set boundaries and say 'no' when necessary to avoid overcommitment and overwhelm.
- Explore forgiveness, both for oneself and others, as a means of healing and letting go of emotional burdens.
