Caring for Self while Caring for Others: Resilience - Beyond the Hype and Towards an Attitude of Hope

Speakers:  Harry Zeit MD and Irina Dumitrache CYT 

In the field of clinician wellness and health, other than self-care, no term has been as utilized – and perhaps of late demonized – than resilience. We know that resilience is important. We may carry some ideas and pre-conceptions of what it means to be resilient. Yet of late, on social media and in medical blogs, more and more physicians note that the word carries connotations of blame and associations with systems that exploit and abuse. Too many speakers and institutions, capitalizing on need and distress, have offered resilience programs that are ineffectual, or that hold attendees accountable when they continue to suffer symptoms.

Most physicians (and many other health care providers) understand that the system is broken and ultimately requires a radical revisioning and re-organization. Our most courageous leaders and writers remind us that no amount of resilience training can sustain us within a system that is ultimately unsustainable and that traumatizes and overwhelms both providers and patients. So, is there any reason to continue to re-visit resilience and to cultivate skills and practices that build and deepen our ability to withstand and recover from adversity?

Are there teachings and practices within the resilience field that can serve us and protect us to a certain extent from the pitfalls we face – including committing medical errors, quitting our work prematurely, addiction, chronic illness and family breakdown? Can we create a core of calm and strength, through practice and awareness, that can insulate us from worst-case scenarios? If a critical mass of providers can adopt this deeper, more meaningful connection to resilience, will a natural movement to challenging the system also begin to form? 

Objectives:

Attendees will :

Learn resilience practices aimed at reducing the deleterious effects of unremitting stress and overwhelm.

Gain an understanding of the factors that lead to creating new resilience resources that are lasting and adaptable.

Acquire new knowledge on the importance of moving from stress physiology to states of safety, calm and connection.

Practice several exercises designed to deepen, embody and integrate states of resilience.

For more information on the series, please e mail: drharryzeit@gmail.com  or 

https://www.eenetconnect.ca/to...le-caring-for-others

To RSVP, please e mail michaelpare@rogers.com

There is no charge for this presentation.  Our program is supported and complemented by our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhileCaringForOthers/