The demanding nature of a career in cardiothoracic surgery brings unique challenges to the forefront, requiring a delicate balance between professional excellence and personal wellbeing. Surgeons at every stage of their careers face intense pressures, long hours, and high-stakes decision-making, which can significantly impact their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Recognizing this critical need, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons this year elevated wellness from a task force to a workforce. The move represents a heightened commitment by STS to prioritize the health and wellbeing of its members and signals a paradigm shift across the entire healthcare community to make the wellbeing of all healthcare workers a priority.
Dustin Walters, MD, section chief, thoracic surgery, UConn Health, was named the chair of the STS Workforce on Wellness, and Shanda Blackmon, MD, executive director, Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute, was selected as the vice chair.
“This transition has been prompted by a growing recognition of the challenges faced by cardiothoracic surgeons in maintaining their health while delivering exceptional patient care,” said Dr. Walters. “Recent surveys conducted by STS have underscored the pressing need for comprehensive wellness initiatives within our community, prompting the Society to allocate more resources and support toward these endeavors. It shows that STS is listening to the needs of its members.”
Together with Workforce on Wellness members, Drs. Walters and Blackmon will review and enhance STS’s framework on CT surgeon wellbeing, prioritize needs, and implement a collaborative approach to identify and share valuable resources. They intend to take stock of the progress STS has made so far to address wellness and delve deeper into systemic challenges that contribute to the most pressing issues, such as burnout and mental health.
“The STS Workforce on Wellness envisions a future where wellness initiatives not only spark dialogues about the health challenges so many healthcare professionals face, but also create a culture of resilience and support at every hospital and health system across the country,” said Dr. Blackmon.
2024 STS Workforce on Wellness Planning
As the cardiothoracic surgery specialty continues to evolve, so do the demands of its surgeons. As a result, what it means to be well and function at peak performance as a CT surgeon is changing too. Wellness is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. The Workforce aims to spark conversations about wellness with STS members, focus on what matters most to them, and create meaningful and sustainable initiatives that resonate with surgeons at every career stage.
As the Workforce listens to member feedback on wellness and learns more about everyday challenges, they are exploring new opportunities to shape a culture that values wellbeing across the specialty. New programming ideas include:
- A virtual STS wellness suggestion box: Create an online destination where members can offer feedback on wellness. By making it virtual, members can share “open door” comments and ideas whenever it’s convenient or thought of.
- Strategic partnership outreach: Partner with other STS workforces and outside organizations dedicated to addressing physician wellbeing. Collaborative initiatives with expert partners could help the Workforce tackle issues like family planning, substance abuse, and mental health, and provide group discounts for wellness-promoting products.
- A peer-to-peer online support community: Establish a virtual community to help foster a sense of belonging and connection among surgeons and combat issues, such as loneliness and imposter syndrome, on a more personal level. “Belonging is fundamental to who we are as humans and our wellbeing is heavily contingent on our connections to each other,” said Dr. Walters.
- Real-world stories to help define surgeon wellness and address stigma: Encourage members to share their struggles and triumphs and inspire others. Personal wellness stories can serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of making time for self-care.
- A Wellness Institute, modeled after the successful Leadership Institute: The institute will train and empower members to become “wellness champions” and offer them year-long access to longitudinal wellness training with expert wellness speakers, inspiration, and motivation. It also will give them exposure to new self-care products and services.
New initiatives like these will build upon the success of existing wellness programs STS offers, including research, webinars, round-table discussions, and the Resilient Surgeon Podcast; widen STS’ reach; and embrace a more holistic approach to wellness.
Hospitals and Health Systems Already Taking Action
Many hospitals across the US and around the world are implementing comprehensive wellness programs tailored specifically to the needs of their staff. These programs often include a range of resources and services that promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
More hospitals are providing on-site fitness centers and exercise classes to encourage staff to prioritize regular physical activity. Others are offering wellness workshops and training sessions on topics like mindfulness and resilience. And many are providing access to mental health resources, such as counseling services or support groups to help healthcare workers cope with stress and burnout. Hospitals are not only giving additional paid time off, they’re going the extra mile to encourage staff to take it to recharge.
Another initiative becoming increasingly available to healthcare workers is flexible scheduling, such as compressed workweeks or telecommuting opportunities, to accommodate diverse needs. What’s on the horizon? “We need childcare support programs and eldercare services to assist healthcare workers with caregiving responsibilities outside of work,” said Dr. Blackmon.
No doubt the elevation of wellness within the STS community and beyond signifies a monumental shift towards prioritizing the health and wellbeing of cardiothoracic surgeons and all healthcare workers. Investing in wellness at STS and healthcare institutions around the world remains paramount to ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Personal Wellness Storytelling
Personal storytelling has always been an integral part of human connectivity, and when used effectively, it can open minds and influence positive changes.
Dr. Dustin Walters shares his personal wellness story and encourages others to do the same.
My Personal Wellness Story, by Dr. Dustin Walters
I first became interested in workplace wellness because I recognized my own burnout and struggles, and I unquestionably saw it in my colleagues and the residents and fellows I trained.
Unfortunately, it took a real existential crisis ─ a near-death experience ─ for me to begin thinking about how I wanted to have an impact on the field. Committing to help solve the burnout crisis has proven to be one of my most fulfilling career endeavors. What I came to realize is that we know a great deal about the contributors to burnout and its devastating consequences, but we have a poor understanding of how to operationalize wellness in a truly meaningful way. I think this is a significant challenge moving forward, but if we can figure this out together, we will all be better humans, family members, and physicians for it.
My Personal Wellness Story, by Dr. Shanda Blackmon
One of the best things I have ever done for my wellness was take a brief sabbatical to launch a book I wrote. I participated in book signings and met people from all walks of life. I also reconnected with patients from the original support groups I formed for esophageal cancer patients. It is one of the most life-centering events I have experienced! Staying longitudinally connected to our patients gives both meaning and perspective and minimizes things like burnout. Support groups are a wonderful way to connect with others and find meaning through any journey.
Do you have a personal wellness story to share? Submit your story at stsnews.org.
Check Out These STS Wellness Resources
- Blog article: The Train Is at the Station
- STS News article: Burnout in CT Surgery Threatens Job Satisfaction, Patient Care
- Video roundtable: Strategies for Surgeons to Prevent Burnout
- Annals of Surgery article: Enhanced Stress Resilience Training in Surgeons
- Annals of Surgery article: Comprehensive Characterization of the General Residency Learning Environment and the Association with Resident Burnout
Other wellness resources offered by trusted partners:
• Healthcare Workers Face a Mental Health Crisis
• Impact Wellbeing
• Well-Being and Emotional Resiliency in Academic Medicine
• New HHS Initiative Aims to Strengthen Nation’s Health Workforce