Unprecedented Times Call for Unprecedented Measures

Healthcare professionals, by nature, are perfectionists. They have to be. They play a critical role in providing quality patient care and saving lives. So imagine how difficult it is to adapt during this COVID-19, which has turned daily routines on its head.

“I have learned to deal with that frustration by trying to be less self-critical and learning to forgive myself for not being flawless,” says Dana Baker, MBA, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas.

Mrs. Baker has learned to use the tools she shares with her students to help her navigate these difficult times. Self-awareness is key. “I teach using simulations, where there is discussion around that deeper dive and getting into a learner’s frame of mind,” she explains. “Now, I apply that to myself and think about why I am frustrated, what is the source of that frustration, whether it is the result of the loss of structure and interaction with others.”

To cope with the extreme exhaustion that she sometimes feels, Ms. Baker practices mindfulness and forces herself to do activities that promote self-care. This includes taking a momentary break from work to go for a short walk and get a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air.

Sometimes she’ll have a brief phone conversation with a trusted colleague, which helps her feel less isolated in her struggles. She also carries a notebook around with her so that she can write down her feelings and “not hold everything in my head that can be worrisome or whether it is just listing things to do. I prioritize my list to determine what is on the front burner and what can wait.”

In addition to taking care of herself, she is more intentional about being understanding of colleagues and the stress they may be experiencing right now.