[Occupational wellbeing in anaesthesiologists: its relationship with educational methodology].

The time has come! It is time that anaesthesiologists wake up to the pressing need of work satisfaction and positive balance in life. Through various initiatives by WFSA (Professional Wellbeing Committee), ASA (Committee on Occupational Health) and SBA/CLASA, anesthesia societies all over the world are trying to create awareness on the Burning Issue of wellness at work. ‘‘With present interest in Weingology, that is the science of studying well-being, a term coined by the authors in an earlier chapter on Occupational Wellbeing, the present editorial is an attempt by the Professional Wellbeing Committee at WFSA to identify with Occupational Wellbeing. In the second section of this editorial, we discuss the role of educational methodologies in reducing stress and promoting wellness at work. Occupational wellbeing maybe defined as a state of high job satisfaction and fulfillment at work. It is characterized by a positive job engagement and availability of adequate resources to cope with stressful situations. A sweet integration of work with personal life that provides a good balance and personal satisfaction can lead to an enhanced overall wellbeing. However, it is getting extremely difficult to provide a work environment that is completely free from physical and mental stress. Exposure to physical agents like radiation/lasers/theater noise/anesthetic gases, risk of exposure to infections/contaminations, working in hostile environments can all cause stress and affect the occupational wellbeing. Some of the most stressful factors as perceived by anesthesiologists themselves are: lack of control over their workday, jeopardized family life, medical and legal aspects, communication problems and clinical problems. Other factors also reported are: work standards, management of critical patients, crisis management, dealing with death, problems related to work pattern (organizational), administrative responsibilities, personal conflicts, conflicts in professional relationships and conflicts outside the work environment. Among anesthesiology residents, some of the main concerns are managing critical patients, dealing with patients’ deaths and balancing personal life with professional demands. Lack of occupational wellbeing may manifest as lack of interest in work, absenteeism, dissatisfaction, low-quality work, possibility of medical malpractice (which may occur through negligence and result in legal problems). All these situations denigrate the professionals image and may sometimes result in career abandonment, premature retirement and, in extreme cases, civil or criminal issues that can even lead to suicide. Failure in maintaining a healthy relationship with children, disruption of family life, substance abuse, depression, physical and mental impairment are some of the social consequences. Also, worth mentioning here is the fact that not only the external factors, but individual coping mechanisms and personality traits also determine the stress response from different individuals when faced with similar stressful situations. Primary personality traits like idealism, perfectionism, timidity, insecurity, emotional instability and inability to relax can all weaken the coping ability to stress. Negative factors like inadequate or lacking strategies to deal with stress, disappointed expectations/negative experiences, inadequate support due to a lack of social relationships/partnerships, lack of patient gratitude for medical care provided, risks of litigation can also affect our occupational wellbeing. Hence, what we need at the individual level is the development of well functioning coping strategies. We have to train ourselves in identifying stressful factors at work. Next step can be to identify areas which we can modify to mitigate the stress effects. Development of positive job traits during anesthesiology training can also contribute toward a healthy, motivated anesthetist of tomorrow.