This poem and its introduction have been written by a doctor who found poetry the best way to share her experiences. She has written a series of poems on burnout, what I won't be missing this festive period, burnt out but not washed up, Mount Backlog, Coming out and Experiential Practice. Please do take a look … Continue reading Rumination poem
Category: Shame
Many of us enter medical school having been top of our year group, or at least in the top few. Some of us may never have failed an exam. We start medical school, discover that we are no longer so unique, and find ourselves amongst student peers equally intelligent and high-achieving. I remember being totally … Continue reading Fear of failure. My story
A Poem about Recovery Burnt-out but not Washed-up For many years I did believe Medicine, was all I could achieve So when required to take ‘shore leave’ I found myself begin to grieve My fragile self-esteem was blown Denied self-worth, I felt alone Adrift beyond my comfort zone A future in a world unknown Ashamed … Continue reading Burnt-out but not Washed-up
When I was first writing about preventing burnout, I did not feel that I could add much personal value. I bypassed the prevention stage completely. I headed straight to having to think about recovering from burnout. If I had recognised where my escalating stress would have led me, if I had appreciated how unwell I … Continue reading Preventing burnout – what I would do differently knowing what I know now
Another post from Dr Caroline Reed O'Connor, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist in south-west London. She is a co-founder of "Tea & Empathy", a Facebook group for clinicians which provides "a national, informal, peer-to-peer support network aiming to foster a compassionate and supportive atmosphere throughout the NHS." The support and compassion shown by all the members … Continue reading No more shame
Recognise. Prevent. Recover. 