Anybody who has even a passing interest in health and wellness, knows the sobering fact that a large number of medical problems that plague society today, are the result of unhealthy living habits. Conditions such as heart disease and diabetes which are reaching epidemic proportions, are directly linked to poor eating and inactivity. Official statistics show that around 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. We live on diets of junk food and the vast majority of us don’t meet minimum recommendations for weekly exercise (disappointingly under 25% do according to this Time article). Among physicians sadly, the very people who should most be setting examples for healthy lifestyles, the statistics are hardly any better—with around 65 percent overweight or obese.
Over the last year, in addition to my hospital work, I’ve also practiced preventive medicine and wellness in an outpatient setting, and got to meet hundreds of people from all walks of life and occupations. Many of them work for large companies that are actively promoting health and wellbeing among employees. Hearing stories about how their organizations have numerous programs to encourage healthy eating and regular activity (including even having friendly competitions among employees), has really got me thinking—why aren’t healthcare organizations doing the same thing en masse? Surely if there was one industry that should be leading this charge, it should be healthcare? I have worked in every type of hospital over the last several years—big academic centers in major metropolitan areas, to tiny community outposts in the middle of nowhere. Beyond just very simple things like the odd cafeteria promotion, administrative email, or “walk-a-thon”, I’ve really seen very little. Perhaps I’ve just worked in the wrong places, but it seems like we are way behind in this area. That’s a terrific shame. Hospitals and clinics may be very busy places, facing a universal financial squeeze—but there’s tremendous room for improvement to promote physical wellbeing among all employees—doctors, nurses, and everyone else. For any company, investing in this has been shown to yield a significant long-term return on investment (ROI). Especially at a time when discussion about physician burnout and job dissatisfaction is so prevalent, this seems like an obvious place to start (people also underestimate the link between physical and mental health).
For me personally, I know something that would transform my working life and make my days so much more productive (and fun), would be to have a nice gym at work. I would like nothing more than an hour or so during the day to get away—have a workout, shower—and come straight back to work feeling refreshed with an energy boost. Maybe even have a really quick healthy lunch afterwards in an attached cafeteria! Of course, arrangements could be made for someone to cover in the event of any emergent situation that happened in that period of time—but being able to do this would transform my work day. I would look forward to this hour, it would help me release some of the tension that comes with working at the frontlines, and I’d gladly stay an hour or two later in the day (in fact I probably wouldn’t need to, because I think the physical and mental clarity benefits, would make me more efficient). It would also mean that I wouldn’t need to go to the gym before or after work. That’s just my own personal wish. For other people, perhaps a swimming pool, a walking area, spin class, or a meditation or yoga room may work. Before, during, or after work. It may not change the realities of frontline medicine, the challenges we face as medical practitioners, or make our suboptimal clunky electronic medical records any better—but it sure as hell would encourage us to be healthier.
So come on healthcare organizations in America, if we are going to all be employees in this new world of corporate medicine—take care of us and promote our wellness like so many other big companies do!
Suneel Dhand is a physician and author. He is Co-Founder at DocsDox and an independent healthcare experience and communication consultant.
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Agreed, it’s tough for busy physicians and other healthcare workers to find time to exercise! Sometimes it’s even difficult to find time to eat!
I discovered thanks to my cellphone that I take about 6000 steps (100 calories per 2000 steps=300 calories=one big cookie) in the process of doing daily hospital rounds.
One additional way to burn a few calories is to avoid the elevator. Many of our patients are on the 4th and 5th floors or in the ER on the ground floor. During the course of the day I can burn a few extra calories by climbing up the steps instead of taking the elevator. (A flight of stairs is worth roughly 10 calories, so 10 flights, 100 calories, or one small cookie.) Walking up the stairs costs nothing and is time efficient, as walking turns out to be quicker than waiting for the elevator most times. The stairs are rarely crowded, either.
Thanks Dr Wilner, that’s such a great thought too with the stairs as daily exercise. Unfortunately some of the hospitals I work in now, the stairs are in a really inconvenient location, and an elevator just seems so much easier! They should be right next to each other (also to make some staff feel guilty about using the elevators :)). But you are right that if one does that multiple times daily…a whole load of calories burned! Appreciate you reading. Suneel
isn’t it hypocritical and downright pathetic…that medical care institutions are more concerned with profitability and excel spreadsheet numbers, ratios, and percent to plan…..than they are with even their own workers. surg techs are worked on their feet 8+ hours per day, given 30 min lunch ‘breaks’ that start when they leave to walk to the cafeteria……..and two (if you are lucky) 15 min breaks during the shift…………$$$$$’s are all they really care about. simply pathetic. as a result, dvt, lumbar issues, and rotator cuffs are damaged daily.
A few years back when I was a busy health journalist (back when print journalists weren’t yet an endangered species), one medical building in my city housed several of my best physician/surgeon sources. One physician in particular was my go-to source for a number of topics and when he made time for me, I dropped everything and accommodated his schedule. His office was on the top floor, along with others I occasionally chatted with. But this doc was the only one who met me in the lobby then led me to his office — up several flights of stairs. When we were done visiting/interviewing, he walked me back down.
His specialty?
Cardiology/cardiothoracic surgery.
Jodie, that is an amazing story! What a great doc 🙂 Suneel