How to Minimize Stress: The Importance of Nutrition and Exercise

It is a well-known fact that a healthy diet and physical activity play an important part in our well-being. Within a care team, the physician's role is a critical one. Consequently, their well-being can have a big impact not only on care practices but on patient experience as well. For example, many studies point out that physicians and trainees often do not get proper nourishment and hydration while on the job. Looking into this area could provide useful insights to those physicians looking to improve their overall well-being. It has also been shown that physically active physicians get sick less frequently, suffer less burnout, handle stress better, and are more likely to discuss physical activity with their patients. Given the commonplace occurrence of burnout in physicians, we believe that in addition to related issues like heavy workloads and length of shifts, the state of physicians' nutrition and how it affects their work performance and health should also be addressed. In this session, we will discuss the current evidence related to the potential effects of nutrition and physical activity on physicians' occupational well-being and performance, identify gaps, and discuss opportunities to address nutrition as one of the important means of improving physicians' welfare.

PROGRAM

Clinical Background

1. Welcome and Introduction. - Dr. Mumba Chalwe (USA) and Dr. Regina Faes (Mexico)

2. Exercise among surgical residents: Is it really necessary? How do I get time for it? – Dr. Dale Bond (USA)

3. Caring for the HCP: Nutritional considerations for Residents – Dr. Violeta Moizé (Argentina)

Technique Description