Physician Wellness

HCMS encourages physician wellness and a healthy work-life balance.

HCMS advocates for physicians by engaging with our legislators, regulators and payers; providing benefits to achieve work-life balance, and assisting with potentially overwhelming administrative burdens to ease some of the issues which can contribute to physician stress and burnout. Below are some resources available to help bring back your passion for being a doctor.

Mental Health Support

There are several resources to help you if you are feeling overwhelmed:

• HCMS Physician Wellness Program - Designed to connect physicians with psychiatrists and psychologists who can provide needed help. Click here for a list of providers. (Member login required.) Or if you need assistance, call HCMS at 713-524-4267 and ask for the Physician Wellness Program. This program is not a solution for emergencies. If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a colleague, call 911 or your local emergency department.
• Physician Support line -- For physicians struggling with burnout, and mental health issues, volunteer psychiatrists are offering anonymous peer support seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST. Call 1-888-409-0141.
• The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD - 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 713-970-7000, and 24/7 Mobile Crisis Outreach Team at 713-970-7520.  
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 988 or 1-800-273-8255.

Educational Resources & CMEs

The programs publicized should be large in scope, focus on solutions, not just the problem, and open to all physicians. The date, location, start time and CME credits need to be provided for the post.  All programs require the approval of HCMS officers.
CMEs

• Physician health CME courses from TMA -- Courses tackle topics such as resilience, mental wellness during COVID-19, and occupational stress
• Break the Silence: Physician Suicide, a CME course available for ethics credit, addresses risk factors and warning signs.
• Overcoming Distress in Medicine, a CME course available for ethics credit, helps physicians recognize sources of distress and adopt resources and strategies to cope with it
• Physician Burnout CME course series from AMA Education Center
• STEPS Forward - AMA's Practice Improvement Strategies

Publications

• Join the Physicians Foundation's Suicide Awareness Crusade - TMA
• Medical Burnout: Breaking Bad: Five Ways to Tackle Burnout - TMA
• Physician wellness at TexMed: Build your resilience toolkit - TMA
• Improve your work-life balance with these simple steps - TMA
• Personal Crisis Management Plan for Physicians--Physicians Foundation has created a plan which consists of a short series of questions to support physicians and their colleagues in assessing their coping strategies in times of
• TMA Knowledge Center - Request journal articles from TMA Library Services.

 

Online Resources

There are several websites to help you combat stress and burnout:

• The Happy MD -Dike Drummond MD is a Mayo trained Family Practice Physician and the leading coach, trainer and consultant on -- The prevention of burnout in individual physicians -- The realization of the Quadruple Aim in healthcare organizations
• Institute for Physician Integration A Physician Retreat Unlike Any Other You've Experienced...Renew your own energies and recapture your joy in practicing medicine while preparing to be a change agent within your organization.
• RENEW - Work and live with more focus, energy and resilience 
• The Institute for the Study of Health and Illness (ISHI)
• Columbia University Medical Center - Program in Narrative Medicine
• Center for Mindfulness in Medicine - UMass Medical School,/A>
• Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP)

 

Social Activities

Achieving a good work-life balance is about taking time away from the pressures of the office and giving your mind a rest by spending time with your family or enjoying some quiet time alone. 

• HCMS has member discounts on theater tickets, sports events, and more.
• HCMS hosts social events for physicians to engage in fellowship to promote collegiality and build support networks
• TMA provides a travel program through Gohagan & Company. Travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world and earn CME in the process.
• The Houston Museum District and Hermann Park area have 19 museums and attractions, including the Houston Zoo and The Health Museum.
• With CityPASS, you get to explore the very best attractions Houston has to offer, hand-picked and wrapped up in an easy to use ticket booklet.
• Texas Medical Center Orchestra was founded in 2000 and is one of the few community orchestras in the United States to be based in the medical community.
  
  

Emotional/Spiritual Support

• TMA partners with Anticipate Joy -- TMA has contracted with Anticipate Joy to provide confidential, online counseling services to physicians licensed in Texas (TMA members and nonmembers) and their immediate family. You can choose from a diverse network of therapists to address work stress, anxiety and depression, relationship issues, and more. Cost is $25 per session.
• The Jung Center champions the value of living an examined life and encourages action rooted in reflection and connection, offering a wide range of seminars on a variety of topics that ultimately impacts wellness. 
• The Jung Center offers free online meditations: Join us for an opportunity to bring mindfulness into your life, and practice with others as a support
• The Jung Center offers discounted in-person seminars to HCMS members. See unique discount codes below for each event.       

Financial Resources

• Physician Assistance - Financial assistance programs from the Texas Medical Association (TMA).
  » TMA Physicians Benevolent Fund (PBF) helps physicians and their families with personal expenses such as rent, utilities, and medical bills.
  » TMA PBF Wellness Fund (formerly the Physician Health and Rehab (PHR) Assistance Fund) provides financial help to physicians for treatment for depression, substance use disorders, or other potentially impairing conditions.