Your well-being is our priority.

We know working in health care can sometimes be stressful. By improving work environments, increasing efficiency, and helping those who are struggling, our office strives to reduce burnout and improve the joy, vitality, and well-being of all healthcare workers within our academic health center.

Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental and/or physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. You may be experiencing burnout if you:

  • Feel constantly swamped by work or stress
  • Always feel exhausted
  • Have difficulty concentrating on tasks
  • Don’t feel satisfied or proud of accomplishments
  • Feel cynical, critical or irritable, especially at work

Surveys show that as many as 50% of doctors nationwide experience symptoms of burnout, and is a major reason workers change jobs or leave the profession. It affects the quality of care provided to patients and takes a personal toll on your holistic well-being.

Those experiencing burnout are more likely to experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. If left untreated, these conditions can grow into substance abuse disorder, high blood pressure or even suicide. Early signs of depression or anxiety include:

  • Feelings of exhaustion, emptiness or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering
  • Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
  • Prolonged worrying or anxious thoughts
  • Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
  • Feeling a sense of impending doom, danger or death
  • Avoiding triggers of anxiety, such as work

There is help available.

If you, your loved one or your team member are experiencing any of these symptoms, we want you to know you’re not alone. We’ve created a list of resources providing personal wellness tips, how to support your coworkers, what to do in crisis and more.

The Office of Well-Being is here to help you thrive in your career in medicine. We offer a list of helpful resources and individual support for a variety of challenges experienced by clinicians, researchers, and APPs through confidential short-term counseling and referral to other support services. For more information, contact Craig Rooney, PhD or call 573-882-1966.

Your privacy is important to us. All visits are confidential and records are not connected to PowerChart.

91% of SOM Faculty Have a Primary Care Physician – Do You?

Having a relationship with a primary care physician can be a critical part of your self-care plan. Primary care is often a good starting point for mental health or burnout concerns.

We are proud to report that a recent internal survey of MU School of Medicine faculty revealed that 91% have a primary care physician!

If you do not have a PCP and would like to get established with one at MU Health Care, please see this link for more information.

If you are having difficulty getting established and would like assistance, please contact Craig Rooney, PhD, or call us at 573-882-1966.