The amount of stress experienced by physicians currently is at an all-time high. This level of stress is understandable since patients are sicker than ever before. Combine the stress of caring for a growing patient population with the business commitments of running a bustling medical practice and determine how any physician would find time for exercise, cooking healthy meals, sleeping adequately or partaking in other stress-reducing activities. Enjoying a healthy work–life balance has been simply impossible for most physicians—until now.
The Safety Hazards Caused by Stress
Ample evidence proves that excessive stress can lead to performance barriers for surgeons, resulting in compromised patient safety from surgical errors. If left unchecked, chronic stress can manifest into burnout, which is also dangerous to patients. Burnout is a psychological disorder characterized by depersonalization, a decreased sense of personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion. Burnout can result in occupational withdrawal, poor performance and negative stress-related health outcomes. For surgeons, burnout is strongly related to major medical errors. Burnout is difficult to reverse, but can be achieved with the support and resources NexGen provides.
Our Approach to Surgeon Stress and Burnout
Our model gives hardworking surgeons the ability to embrace a healthy work–life balance without having to relocate, take call during off-time or waste time away from practice working on billing, payroll or staffing issues. We step in to handle the administrative aspects of running your practice so that you can focus solely on patient care and enjoy your time away from work. Working just two weeks each month gives our surgeons more time to enjoy stress-reducing activities while we manage dealing with insurance companies, staffing problems and running the back office.
Reducing Stress Leads to Increased Surgical Performance
Several studies demonstrate the benefit of mental skills training to enhance surgical performance and reduce stress. In one randomized and controlled trial, a stress-management intervention was implemented with experienced surgeons. The groups of surgeons that received stress management training significantly outperformed controls on observed teamwork, use of coping skills and stress levels. At NexGen, we see this to be true with our surgeons. Their surgical performance soars when they are relieved of their stressful administrative burdens.
Performance-Enhancing Mental Skills for Surgeons
Our surgeons are encouraged to develop performance-enhancing mental skills such as goal setting, developing action plans, mental imagery, relaxation, attention management and refocusing strategies. Mental skills can help surgeons achieve their ideal mental state when faced with intraoperative stressors like complex or rarely performed cases, poor assistance, issues with other staff members and long turnaround times. Maintaining optimum mental health is an important preventative measure for protecting physicians from chronic stress and burnout.
Leaving Stress Behind is Easier Than Ever
Taking a less stressful position without a pay cut is possible. In fact, surgeons who transition to NexGen earn better compensation than they did in their previous practices. Our surgeons have left their jam-packed surgery schedules behind and now enjoy a better way to practice. Working with NexGen means you can focus on what you do best—caring for patients—while enjoying the benefits of a flexible schedule.
Apply for a Position With NexGen Now
NexGen offers multidisciplinary surgical services. In addition to general surgeons and orthopedic surgeons, we need urologists and otolaryngologists on our team. If you are interested in joining the NexGen Surgical team, apply now. Our recruiters will set up a call to discuss your background, experience and lifestyle goals. We look forward to helping you maintain a thriving surgical practice while also enjoying a healthy work–life balance.
