Explore the latest research, news, and developments in the world of wellness in this installment of the Well-Being Weekly. Get caught up on this week's biggest stories surrounding mental health and well-being in the healthcare industry, provided by Well-Being Index experts Patrick McNally and Sunny Prabhakar.
Police brutality, COVID-19, and racism take heavy toll on Black mental health
While experts warn of a global mental health crisis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, racism and health disparities pose even more psychological hazards for people of color. According to Renee Raymond, a Black psychotherapist from Toronto, “it’s a lot of extra emotional labour that people of color have to navigate in addition to navigating just the daily activities of life, so it can be quite taxing.”
The article continues, explaining how "repeated exposure to police violence is connected to higher risks of 'psychological distress, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and psychotic experiences.' This challenge is compounded for those who are queer or trans, communities that have a similarly long history with police brutality."
Read the full article to learn more about the health and social response strategies and where experts say we should go from here.
Resident & fellow well-being statistics based on 8,200+ assessments
In the recently-published State of Well-Being 2019 Report, over 8,000 resident and fellow Well-Being Index assessments were analyzed. Among the data, several insightful statistics were collected, including:
- Neurology residents were most likely to experience distress
- Over half of second and third year residents and fellows were burned out
Download the free report now to view these statistics in detail and explore even more impactful data among residents, physicians, nurses, APPs, medical students, and more.
Association of racial bias with burnout among resident physicians
In a JAMA study published one year ago, Well-Being Index co-inventor Dr. Lotte Dyrbye along with other researchers examined the relationship between burnout and racial biases toward black people among residents.
The study concluded that symptoms of burnout appeared to be associated with greater explicit and implicit racial biases. "Given the high prevalence of burnout and the negative implications of bias for medical care, symptoms of burnout may be factors in racial disparities in health care."
Well-Being Weekly
Make sure to look for next week's Well-Being Weekly update to stay on top of everything happening in the world of wellness. Follow the Well-Being Index on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for even more content and resources surrounding clinician well-being and mental health!
The Well-Being Index team is made up of thought leaders, healthcare associates, technology experts, and content creators dedicated to improving well-being by equipping organizations with the tools and data needed to Go Beyond Burnout.
