On today’s episode, Dr. Bybee shares her Harvard University Medical School Media and Medicine project that highlights an under-addressed crisis in healthcare: Respiratory therapist burnout.

Studies show that 75% of respiratory therapists have symptoms of burnout! This is more than nursing burnout or physician burnout, but it hasn’t been covered nearly as much in the media. As a result, respiratory therapists continue to leave their positions across the country.

In this episode, Dr. Bybee speaks with Andrew Miller, RRT a respiratory therapist at Duke University and first author on a narrative review about enhancing respiratory therapists’ wellbeing which was published in April 2023 in the Journal of Respiratory Care. He provides evidence-backed solutions for getting started.

Andrew shares that beginning to address the problem is simple, but not as easy as one might expect: Be kind. He reminds us that physicians are leaders whether they have a formal title or not and that their behavior sets the tone for the rest of the team.

This lesson is applicable to everyone out there leading formally or informally.

Whether you’re in healthcare or not, please tune in for this important conversation to start making a difference in your own work environment. If you’re not sure where to start, Andrew reminds us “Don’t just talk about it; do something.” As in, do something small like give positive feedback or show your humanity to those you are leading.

With small changes like these, we can take the first steps toward making healthcare more humane for all of us.

Resources:
- Enhancing Respiratory Therapists' Well-Being: Battling Burnout in Respiratory Care - PubMed (nih.gov)
- Get in touch with Andrew: (1) Andrew Miller MSc RRT-ACCS RRT-NPS FAARC FCCM (@AGMRRT) / X (twitter.com)

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If you're looking for more information about working with me 1:1 for coaching or inviting me to facilitate a workshop for your group, send me an email at lifeandpicu@gmail.com

I’d love to hear who you are, where you’re listening from, and what types of episodes would be helpful for you. Your comments, reviews, and shares are always much appreciated and really do make my day.