Dr Kate Little.

Medicine is Stressful

by Dr Sarah Yates Medicine is stressful, there’s no getting past that. Each day we juggle complex emotions (our own and our patient’s); make snap second decisions that are potentially the difference between life and death, suffering and healing; a life weighed down by trauma and guilt, or a way forward to hope. We have … Continue reading Medicine is Stressful

anxiety / depression, fear

Staying Safe

Many of us will have experienced a time of emotional crisis. It could follow a break-up of a relationship, a bereavement, a traumatic event, financial worries or an adjustment to a big change. We might feel inadequate, a failure, ashamed, angry, agitated, shocked or numb. These feelings may resolve with time, but they might instead … Continue reading Staying Safe

compassion, hope, purpose, wellbeing, work-life balance

Thriving, not just surviving.

Our working environment has changed enormously over the last few decades. The workload, intensity and patient complexity have grown exponentially. In parallel, the time and space that we have at work and at home to recharge and support each other has become massively compressed. My last post looked at the factors that make doctors vulnerable … Continue reading Thriving, not just surviving.

compassion, stress, wellbeing

Wounded healers : what makes us so vulnerable to mental ill-health?

I haven't written on here for a long time for a myriad of reasons but I hope that this post that I wrote for NASGP and which has had a lot of comments and interest will be the start of many more... You may have seen Victoria Derbyshire’s BBC show “Doctors’ mental health at tipping … Continue reading Wounded healers : what makes us so vulnerable to mental ill-health?

wellbeing

The importance of unplugging and why you should become a Digital Rebel.

“Mummy, you’re not listening” my son says. “Mmmm. Sorry, I have just got to reply to this e-mail and I’ll be right with you…” Only I get side-tracked and the next thing I know, I am checking the WhatsApp and Facebook notifications on my phone. An argument breaks out at top volume around me. Sound … Continue reading The importance of unplugging and why you should become a Digital Rebel.

Nutrition, wellbeing

Could life be sweeter with less sugar?

I know this may seem a little unrelated to burnout, but given what we eat links to our mental wellbeing as well as our physical health, this feels relevant to post here too. Ever had that feeling that you really need to eat? Where you feel lightheaded and shaky? This happened to me recently on … Continue reading Could life be sweeter with less sugar?

alternative career options, stories, work-life balance

Giles P Croft Interview: “Do more of what you like and less of what you don’t”

When I had my break from medicine almost 2 years ago, I had no idea what I could do as a career if I chose not to return to clinical practice. I knew that I didn’t want something prescriptive that required yet more training, but had no idea what. I saw the amazing Giles P … Continue reading Giles P Croft Interview: “Do more of what you like and less of what you don’t”