THE INDIVIDUALITY OF
BEING WELL New-to-practice rural family physician Dr. Chelsea Wilgenbusch discusses the demands of medicine, staying well and how the path to wellness is different for everyone
You’re now a year into a rural family practice. Medical school and residency are behind you. The demands of a medical career can The importance of fostering wellness in the medical com- make it difficult to look after your own well-being. Can you tell me munity is gaining recognition across the country. The Ca- a bit about that? By Maria Ryhorski
nadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Saskatchewan I think there are a lot of barriers to staying well as a physician Medical Association (SMA) have named physician health that are both intrinsic to the health-care system and extrinand wellness as priorities, and the SMA is in the process of sic to it. The system itself requires 24/7, 365 day service, in a stressful environment where errors can be unforgiving and expanding its Physician Health Program to better support life altering. physicians in all parts of the province. Honest conversaOur personality also plays a distinct role. Physicians by nations about mental health are growing more prevalent, as ture are highly motivated, compassionate individuals who individuals and organizations work to reduce the stigma put high expectations on themselves to achieve and to do for their patients. The very nature of what makes us of mental illness and normalize the importance of seek- good excellent doctors also makes us highly vulnerable to burning help. Physicians know themselves best when it comes out or compassion fatigue. to wellness – their struggles and what they find helpful. What do you see as some of the barriers to physicians staying well? The SMA approached Dr. Chelsea Wilgenbusch, a new-tois a big one. It’s just a race against the clock to log your practice family physician in Melfort and physician mentor Time hours at work, finish your paperwork, be physically active, for the SMA’s Roadmap Program for Students and Resi- have hobbies, be a supportive spouse, talk to your parents, dents, to share her perspective on staying well and how see your kids, walk your dogs, etc. It’s difficult to balance all of that when you’re spending 60-80 hours of the week at we prepare our learners to face the demands of a career work. in medicine. 28
SMA DIGEST | FALL 2019
