Why Pausing Makes You a Better Physician

Rotating through the inpatient week is challenging in multiple ways for me. The short-staff situation is still going on. One person is doing what is usually 1.5 people’s job, and sometimes cross-covering the oncology infusion unit when the nurse practitioner is not around. Whenever I do this inpatient rotation, it usually means that I work for eleven days straight. While the outpatient office has set schedules for the day, the inpatient consultation service is unpredictable. It is busy or busier.

I started my inpatient rotation a day earlier than usual, on a Friday. By 8:30 am, there were already six consults waiting for me. The first day of the rotation can be hectic, as many of you know. I am getting to know the patients who are already on your signout, while taking on new patients to see, as requested by my peers. Grateful for my nurse practitioner, Kristin, who volunteered to help in the hospital that day. We ended up seeing ten new consults, managing three patients with reactions in the infusion unit, and other established inpatients. What a day.

Saturday was another busy day, by myself. Thankfully, there were not too many outpatient calls – as I do cover eight other doctors over the weekend. Then came Sunday. There was a very sick patient in the ICU and I spent much time coordinating her care with other clinicians. There was another patient with a new big mass and I spent much time discussing it with the patient and the family.

As the day went on, I felt more and more tired. All the decision making, the energy used to care for the patients were wearing on me. I was so busy that I did not even use the bathroom until 2 pm – which meant that I was not hydrating enough. And I forgot to do something important – taking a break.

I decided to finish what I was doing and go home. No, I did not see all the patients I intended to see, and those patients were stable, according to my chart review. A break was what I needed.

Taking a break is often considered a luxury or a bonus, when in reality, taking breaks is essential for our well-being. The more we continue with rest, the more stressed we become, the harder it is for us to focus. Our efficiency and productivity decline. We feel frustrated because we are not as sharp and efficient as usual. The stress and frustration become fuel for burnout. We become less connected to others and to ourselves.

Taking a break is a chance for you to rest your body and your mind. Taking a break is doing something else – it can be walking, exercising, singing, preferably something you enjoy doing. Taking even a short break – for a few minutes – lets you refuel, refresh and renew your mind.

I was more tired than usual because I was working in a more demanding rhythm. There were tougher decisions to make, and more complex medical situations to handle. The feeling that my brain was slowing down was a good warning signal that I needed to walk away, at least temporarily.

Taking breaks allows us to release our stress. When you have a chance to recharge, you get to focus better. When you can focus, your efficiency improves. When you are rested, you have a clear mind, not only to concentrate, but also to create. You are more mindful of your surroundings, you pay more attention to details, and you come up with more ideas to solve problems.

The most common thought that is stopping you from taking a break is “there is no time”. There is always time for a little break, it is a matter of if we choose to do it or not. Sometimes, it is helpful to schedule it. When you spend a few minutes resting, you end up spending less time finishing a task because you have better focus and problem-solving skills after a break. A few minutes in exchange for more time you save compared to no breaks.

When is it a good time to take a break? Mid-day lunch time is a good one. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon times are also appropriate for short breaks. Of course, when you feel stuck, walking away for a few minutes, doing something else, is helpful to get you back on track and possibly come up with a solution.

Most of us ignore what our body is telling us. We work hard and we try to push through. It is essential to remember that taking breaks regularly helps us reduce stress, improve focus, enhance efficiency and increase productivity. Remember to schedule your breaks!