GOVERNMENT AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
We Care for Our Patients, but Who Cares for Us? Reauthorization of the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act Ashley Dailey, DO MBA
H
ealth care workers are at a much higher risk of experiencing burnout and, unfortunately, are at twice the risk of dying by suicide when compared to the general population. The pandemic accentuated the burden placed on health care workers, highlighting the inherent strain placed on those dedicated to caring for others in an insensible and fragmented healthcare system. As emergency medicine physicians, who consistently have the highest rates of burnout amongst all specialties, we are at even higher risk.
To take care of others, we first need to be able to take care of ourselves without the fear of repercussions or having to even consider prioritizing our career over our own personal
health and well-being.”
However, we are resilient and we continue to show up and care for our patients—but who cares for us? It may just be me, but an analogy comes to mind, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” To take care of others, we first need to be able to take care of ourselves without the fear of repercussions or having to even consider prioritizing our career over our own personal health and well-being. Not to mention the impact on patient care and how our patients are affected when we are continually expected to work in an environment that has the potential to break us. The Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act is working to create structural change of the existing healthcare system. Named after Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician who sadly died by suicide in the early days
42
COMMON SENSE MAY/JUNE 2024
of the COVID pandemic, the bill attempts to ensure that as healthcare workers we have access to adequate resources needed to prioritize our own health. The Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act (HR 7153/S 3679) is a piece of legislation aimed to support and protect health care workers’ mental health and well-being. This Act dedicates funding to support and address mental health challenges placed on individuals putting themselves in harm’s way to take care of others. This piece of legislation was originally passed in 2022 and is now up for reauthorization.1 Since passage, the Lorna Breen Act has funded $103 million to implement evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent burnout, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and suicide according to the Dr. Lorna Breen Hero’s Foundation—but there is much work left to do. Reauthorization of the Lorna Breen Act will additionally aim to reduce the administrative burden placed on healthcare workers, giving organizations evidence-informed solutions to sustain well-being and build a system where health care workers thrive. Reauthorization of this Act ensures we, as healthcare workers who are caring for others, can care for ourselves. Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. References 1. https://drlornabreen.org/reauthorizelba/ 2. *The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation logo was used with permission