Healing the Healer: Why Self-Care and Self-Compassion are Critical for Medical Students

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Dear editor,

As medical students, we are trained to prioritize what our patients want above what we want. But what transpires when we disregard our own well-being? The harsh reality is that medical students are at a heightened risk for burnout and mental health issues (1). In fact, Moreover, research indicates that medical students experience higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in comparison to the general population (2). So, why is self-care and self-compassion so crucial for medical students?

Self-care is is more than just indulging in a bubble bath or going for a yoga class. It involves using the time to understand and address our own well-being. It is about setting boundaries, knowing when to say no, and taking the time to recharge. In contrast, self-compassion implies being gentle and empathetic towards ourselves. It involves acknowledging our humanity and accepting that we are not perfect and will make mistakes.

One of the most important aspects of self-care and self-compassion is being aware of our own mental health. This entails dedicating time to comprehending our thoughts and emotions and addressing them in a healthy manner. This can be done through therapy, journaling, or talking to a trusted friend. Recognizing the need for assistance and seeking it out is an indication of fortitude, not a lack thereof.

Another crucial aspect of self-care and self-compassion is setting boundaries. As medical students, we are constantly pulled in different directions. We have classes, exams, clinical rotations, and other responsibilities. It is easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget to take care of ourselves. Establishing boundries entails being aware of when to decline and placing our own needs first. It also necessitates being truthful with ourselves and others about what we are capable of and what is beyond our capabilities.

It is also important for medical students to practice self-compassion when it comes to our academic performance. We are constantly comparing ourselves to our peers and striving for perfection. However, it is important to remember that we are all on our own journey.Recognizing that it is okay to not be perfect and that we will learn from our mistakes is a crucial aspect of self-compassion.

Incorporating self-care and self-compassion into our daily lives can also have a positive impact on our future patients. Medical students who practice self-care and self-compassion are more likely to have better communication skills, be more empathetic, and have better diagnostic abilities. Being adept in these areas is essential to excelling as a physician. In fact, studies show that medical students who have higher levels of self-compassion have better patient outcomes (3). This is because self-compassion allows us to be more aware of our own limitations, which in turn allows us to provide better care for our patients.

Self-care and self-compassion are also crucial for our long-term well-being. Medical students who practice self-care and self-compassion are less likely to experience burnout, which is a common problem in the medical field (4). Burnout can lead to a decrease in job satisfaction, an increase in medical errors, and an overall decrease in the quality of care provided (5). Practicing self-compassion and self-care can help prevent burnout and maintain our passion for the medical profession.

In conclusion, self-care and self-compassion are crucial for medical students. They allow us to understand and address our own needs, set boundaries, and be kind and understanding towards ourselves. It is important to remember that prioritizing self-care is not a form of self-indulgence, it is a necessity. We must prioritize our own well-being in order to offer the most excellent care for our patients.

References
1. Bhugra D, Molodynski A, Ventriglio A. Well-being and burnout in medical students. Industrial Psychiatry Journal. 2021; 30(2): 193–7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8709508/
2. Tugnoli S, Casetta I, Caracciolo S, Salviato J. Parental bonding, depression, and suicidal ideation in medical students. Frontiers in Psychology. 2022; 13. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.877306/full#:~:t… The study confirms that,50.2%25 and 16.7%25 vs
3. Světlák M, Daňhelová Š, Kóša B, Slezáčková A, Šumec R. Self-compassion in medical students: A pilot study of its association with professionalism pressure. BMC Medical Education. 2021; 21(500). Available from: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-021-02930-2…
4. Dev V, Fernando AT, Consedine NS. Self-compassion as a stress moderator: A cross-sectional study of 1700 doctors, nurses, and medical students. Mindfulness. 2020; 11(5): 1170–81. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7223415/
5. Garcia C, Abreu L, Ramos J et al. Influence of burnout on Patient Safety: Systematic Review and meta-analysis. Medicina. 2019; 55(9): 553. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6780563/

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Electronic Publication Date: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023 – 16:31
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Healing the Healer: Why Self-Care and Self-Compassion are Critical for Medical Students

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Last Name: 
Jouaneh
First name and middle initial: 
Sylvie
Address: 
Dublin, Ireland
Occupation: 
Medical student
Affiliation: 
University College Dublin
BMJ: Additional Article Info: 
Rapid response
Twitter: 
Sylvie Jouaneh

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