We pause this week to mark National Suicide Prevention Week and, on Sept. 17, National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. According to the American Medical Association, physicians are at a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than the general population, and physicians who experience suicidal ideation have been shown to be less likely to seek the help they need.
As a physician-led organization, clinician health and well-being are at the core of Pediatrix. That is why, in addition to our Employee Assistance Program and health and wellness benefits, we have a dedicated Office of Professional Fulfillment & Well-being focused on supporting our physicians, advanced practice professionals and clinical operations workforce.
It is a stressful time to practice medicine, and supporting our clinicians is a top priority. The Pediatrix Office of Professional Fulfillment & Well-being seeks to embed fulfillment and well-being as a core value across the enterprise to the benefit of our patients, partners and stakeholders. It does this by addressing the unique needs of health care professionals in the areas of efficiency of practice, organizational culture and personal resilience; measuring and reporting upon professional well-being as a key performance indicator across the enterprise; and promoting the development of clinical leaders with behaviors and competencies that support individual and team attainment of professional fulfillment and wellness.
With the support of a steering committee of colleagues from across the organization, our Office of Professional Fulfillment & Well-being provides education and resources through instructor-led classes, recorded webinars, podcasts and toolkits aimed to improve well-being. With our recently convened Wellness Committee, we will seek to expand and facilitate peer learning and sharing so clinicians can explore what has worked for colleagues and how they might adapt similar practices in their own clinical environments. For those who may question how to navigate our resources, we are here to listen, consult and guide individuals and teams on a path to action and healing.
At Pediatrix, we are working hard to build a culture of wellness and implement tools to help improve clinicians’ efficiency of practice. Clinicians play a critical role in our mission to Take great care of the patient, every day and in every way TM. In order to do that, we have to ensure that we also take great care of each other.
To learn more about joining the Pediatrix team, please visit www.pediatrix.com/careers.
If you are struggling, please know that you are not alone and there are resources to help. If you are afraid you may be a danger to yourself or others, please call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. They are standing by 24/7 with support.