Category: Mindfulness / Wellness

Forest bathing: what is it good for?

Sometimes it is good to get away. Mind you, this photo is more than a year old (before pandemic), but it makes a few points…

Exercise

Remember to get some exercise. Just … not with 3 super-fit members of your family. Notice everyone having a good time running, except Dad with the barely suppressed grimace of pain and facial mask of determination.

Family

Remember, family members are supposed to support each other. And not run too fast for old people to keep up.

Forest

This is the beautiful Forest of Nisene Marks. I have to say, those articles about Forest Bathing? Yup, they’re right on. That time spent in the woods? When I wasn’t gasping for air, it was a spectacular place, a place to recharge.

Leisurely Jog

As always, I had agreed to go for a “leisurely jog” with the kids and with my baby sis. We would run up the path for maybe a mile or 2, then “It’ll be easy, coming back down! Come on! It’ll be fun!”

Grasping my iPhone with a death grip, I set off. Because, if you’re going to go for a run, your iPhone HAS to track your exercise, doesn’t it? As quippy daughter always says:

“Dad, it’s NOT about the steps. IT’S ABOUT THE LIFE.”

I disagree. If my exercise app doesn’t track it, what’s the point?

Nevertheless, we get to the top (barely). I sprint to the turnaround sign (because, Dads have to make a point). This causes nausea with imminent vagal response.

After some time spent with arms tripod-ed on the knees, gasping for air, concerned looks from the sister (the kids are immune to these cries for sympathy) and an extended period of hands-on-hips walking back down the trail, we commence our downward leg.

I was promised an easier time headed down. This was a complete fabrication.

It was several hours later (or so it seemed) we got back to the car.

CMIO’s take: I do have to admit, the smells, the sights, the laughter were a wonderful respite. Yes, we did bathe in the forest (with our clothes on). And it did refresh my spirit. How do YOU recharge?

My Failure Resume, redux

Well, it is time to update my resume. It has been a year, I have failed at more things. I’ve read more failure resumes, and I like some of the newer ideas, for example, listing your NON-skills. I’ve added mine.

One idea for brave souls willing to try, is to submit both your Regular CV / resume AND your Failure resume to your next job interview. Here are 1 page versions of mine (REGULAR resume – 1 page / FAILURE resume – 1 page).

And, wouldn’t you know, the most popular post on this blog, after 3 years of weekly writing on aspirational topics in informatics?

My original Failure Resume. Go figure.

I love some of the writing out there on Failure Resumes:

  • Stanford Engineering: “come to terms with the mistakes … made along the way and … extract important lessons”
  • Forbes: Of 10 job applications, received 0 responses to traditional resume, but 8 responses for a traditional resume PLUS a failure resume.
  • Inc.com: why to encourage your employees to make a failure resume.
  • Even Einstein struggled: a scientific paper on how describing Einstein’s struggles to science students increased students’ hopefulness and engagement with science class.
  • ScienceAlert.com: A CV of failures is an entertaining and instructive read

CMIO’s take? I’ll be teaching an Informatics Leadership course soon, and will expect all our participants to write a one-page Failure Resume. Join us!

 

Doomscrolling. Are you guilty of it? (nytimes)

https://media.wired.com/photos/5ef28012af3d0a069fd1d584/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/Science_doomscrolling-637357390.jpg
image from the NYtimes article

https://www.wired.com/story/stop-doomscrolling

Here is a new term for you: Doomscrolling. I am guilty of this, until I become aware of it and have to wrench myself away. It is a like car-crash in slow motion and you want to know how this horror story ends.

CMIO’s take? STOP. Turn it off, go live your life, and talk about
THREE good things.

Pandemic skills: Giving feedback successfully: I Like … I wish … What if … ?

Theater and acting: a life skill [icon from thenounproject.com]

During this pandemic, many of us have been stuck in front of our screens, like talking heads (Max Headroom, anyone?). If “sitting is the new smoking” (or perhaps not), then I’ve been “smoking” a lot.

Virtual meetings are draining, and I’m on them up to 8 hours a day, even busier now with all the EHR modifications, keeping up with policy changes, what Covid-testing is available, how we admit, treat, discharge, follow, track patients.

At the ends of long hours, long days, long weeks, our nerves are frayed.

I’ve observed that interactions between people have everything to do with the interpersonal skills of the individuals. Sometimes the conversation does NOT go well. Whether it is by email (worst for crucial conversations), by phone (slightly less bad), by online video meeting (slightly less bad) or in person (best, when possible), it is certainly worsened by the pandemic situation.

I’ve been taking a Story Skills Workshop (by Seth Godin and Bernadette Jiwa) that recently concluded. I have to say that I’ve learned quite a lot, and not what I was expecting to learn. I highly, highly recommend it. Seth and Bernadette offer a series of online lessons, released over time. There are about 6 expert coaches, and the instruction is to sign up for an interest group or ‘accountability group’. You’re given a story structure (the 5 C’s: Context, Catalyst, Complication, Change, Consequence) and then specific lessons to write and polish specific elements of your own story in this framework. The cool part is the instruction to ‘first write your own story, and then go comment on at least 5 others.’

  • I learned that it is possible, in an online-only course, to develop a sense of community and collegiality in a short 30 days.
  • I learned that it is crucial to be gentle in first contact with others online. For example, when giving feedback on others’ stories, DO NOT start right in with ‘why don’t you add more Emotion to that moment in your story?’ You’ll learn (as did I) that conversation either stops or becomes defensive. Remember that online conversations carry ZERO nonverbal: no Kind tone of voice, no Friendly posture. All you see are the words, and it is automatic to imagine them coming from a frowning critic with crossed arms, shaking his brutish head. [Pause for self-reflection amongst my blog-readers, as well as from myself…]
  • Instead, try something my theater-trained son taught me:

‘I like… I wish… What if …’

My highly emotionally intelligent son
  • Framing any response this way allows your recipient to hear something positive, then a neutrally posed concern, followed by a tentative suggestion. Having been on both sides of such a well-formed critique, I can say: it is EASY to write, doesn’t take longer, and on the receiving end FEELS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. It FEELS like a close friend, reaching a hand over to pull you up to a higher step.
  • FOR EXAMPLE: Take one of my story-critiques of a co-participant in the story workshop, not done well on my part: “Why don’t you add more emotion to your story? It reads like a timeline, but nothing about what you felt, or how that impacted you.” I thought I was clever, to point out one of the main points of that week’s lesson. What I received was… no response. Hmm.
  • Rephrasing the reply using this framework, when I replied to a different participant’s story, sounded like this: “Hi, Joe! I liked your story, especially the unexpected part about running away from home at 16. I wish I could be there at that moment when you made the decision, everything boiling-over, and then a crucial moment. What if you paused in your story and told us what you were thinking and feeling right then? I would be riveted.” Guess what? We had a great online conversation after that, and he re-wrote his story, and I WAS RIVETED. Win-win.

CMIO’s take? Story telling: cool. Gentle, effective feedback: cooler. Don’t we all need to get better at this?

Moment of Zen for Mother’s Day

If you’re not getting away enough from all things Pandemic, here’s a nice long-exposure photo from my iPhone 7. Yes, a CMIO with an iPhone 7. And I still love it. At least I have a smartphone, unlike one of my informaticist colleagues.

Forest bathing is a thing in Japan and increasingly worldwide, and perhaps we could learn a thing or two. OR, try Norway’s Slow TV (YouTube, almost 10 hours! Surprising how compelling it is, try it full screen), as highlighted by CBS Sunday Morning (8 minutes, YouTube). Don’t miss it!

Hope you all have a great Mothers’ day.

UCHealth v Covid-19. The second surge (not what you think)

Mind the Brain Logo

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/psychiatry/about/in-the-news/psychiatry-news/mind-the-brain-mental-health-in-the-time-of-covid-19

I’m so proud to be part of a multi-disciplinary, talented group of clinicians. Our Department of Psychiatry is gearing up for what may become the second surge of our pandemic, as we relax the stay-at-home orders in Colorado:

Mental Illness. Depression. PTSD. Panic. Suicide.

These terms must no longer carry the stigma they do. There is no shame in reaching out for help. Appropriate and timely treatment can aid a person’s innate resilience and return him or her to health.

We have not experienced a pandemic of this scope for more than a century … We are psychologically inexperienced.

C. Neill Epperson MD

Read more of Dr. Epperson’s ideas and initiatives in this fight for mental health and the major investments UCHealth will be committing to improve the well-being of all residents of the State of Colorado. Welcome to the fight!

EHR v Covid-19. Video Visits: How to Improve the Patient Experience

The new normal? No white coat during Video Visits! (c) CT Lin

Executive Summary: We have a global pandemic, daily policy changes, we work from home, have new video tech, and we are learning to communicate and build relationships in new ways. It is easy to forget that there may be a scared patient on the other end, counting on us. How might we improve the patient experience? Some ideas:

IDEA                                                    DETAILS

Secure Chat with your MAScrub your schedule together, days ahead for patients more appropriate for telehealth vs in-person visits, med rec, troubleshooting, visit focus
Arrange your room, selfSee tipsheet in Epic “Demonstrate Professionalism.“ How is: your room, your light, your clothing?
Eye Contactand, put a sticky note on PC cam to “LOOK HERE!”Arrange the camera at eye level if possible. For some, looking down = frowning? Eye contact on video visits is EVEN MORE important. “If I look away it is because I’m looking at information in your chart”. 
Avoid running lateIf you DO, inform your MA by Epic secure chat & they can inform patient
Greet the patientI like to raise my arms in surprise when we connect: every human connection now, is amazing. Maybe thank them for connecting with you. Ask if they’re in a safe private spot (eg: advise patient NOT to be driving!)
Talk, human to humanAsk: how are you coping (aside from medical concern)? Scared? Worried?  
Reflective ListeningEven more important now in this time of anxiety. You can reflect or say back Data, Ideas, Feelings, Values. It strengthens connection: for example  DATA: “It has been 5 days of worse symptoms?”  IDEAS: “so you think it might be gout?”  FEELINGS: “you’re worried about work? Hmm.”  VALUES: “so, what’s important to you is your family.”
PEARLSSome clinicians may have taken the Excellence in Communication course. The PEARLS acronym can also be helpful. Some examples:   Partnership: “We’ll get through this together.”  Empathy: (reflective listening, as above)  Apology: “I’m really sorry that happened.” “I’m sorry for my part in it.”  Respect: “You have worked really hard on this.”  Legitimization: “Anyone in your situation would feel that way.”  Support: “My team and I are here for you. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Physical Exam creativityTeach them to take a pulse “say beep when you feel it” and YOU can count. Patients may have a BP cuff, Pulse ox, flashlight, thermometer. 
Ask for help from familyOthers may help add to history or exam findings
They may ask about YOU as a human“How are YOU doctor? Are you staying safe?” So many surprising comments from patients worried about their doc. Thank them! 
Brief LIFE adviceDuring pandemic, consider: A) Limit news/social media to 30 min/day. B) Exercise daily. C) THREE GOOD THINGS exercise: proven to reduce depression, anxiety if done consistently “What 3 things are you grateful for today?” Can become a great family habit at dinner. 
AVS,
Open Notes		From My Health Connection, they can see your AVS (after visit summary) and your Progress note (called Clinical Note) to remind them of details of your visit. Maybe at end of visit, ask: “Sometimes I don’t explain myself well. Can you tell me what you’ve heard, so we’re on the same page?”
Reassurance and Hope“We’re going to get through this!” “Stay in touch with your loved ones.”
Ending the visitConsider: a handwave OR palms together, nod OR thumbs up OR “You Got This!” Forecast next steps or if your MA will call them after.
Secure chat with your MAHandoff any items after visit for continuity (referral, next visit, lab, etc)

Link to PDF of this document.

And, here is how our Medical Office looks now, deconstructed. One part is in my basement …

The deconstructed doctor’s office (c) CT Lin

And here’s Medical Assistant Becky, hard at work keeping both the patient and the doctor on track at her home. That virus has got no chance against us.

CMIO’s take? Hang in there! You Got This!

Thanks to all my colleagues for letting me “borrow” their ideas for this post.

Take a breath! and try JOMO during our pandemic

from esteemed colleague George Reynolds, former CIO and CMIO

I was chatting with an informatics colleague last week, mentioning that our family had spent some time in Utah recently.

He sent me this photo he had taken in Utah recently. Beautiful, no?

Are you taking care of yourself? It looks like we are in this for the long haul. Colorado is now under a stay-at-home order, and it looks like our infection curve is more like Italy than it is like Taiwan or South Korea: it is still accelerating, and will be awhile before the worst is past.

So, take a break. I tried hard this weekend to step away, watch a movie, hang out with the family, go for a walk, a run, a bike outing, bask in the sun, get some sleep, in between online-work. Maybe JOMO is a good word to think of at times like this.

We wrote on our family white board some daily tasks:

  • Cap your news/social media at 30 minutes a day
  • Exercise: ping pong / walk / run / bike / dance
  • Play or listen to music!
  • 3 Good Things

CMIO’s take? Do you give yourself moments of beauty? of music? of laughter? play a game?

Please do.

Consider asking your family members to do the 3 Good Things exercise (see above) , thinking of things you’re grateful for.

Hand wash. Stay healthy, best you can.

Thanks for the photo, George.

Has the smartphone destroyed a generation? (Atlantic)

https://cdn.theatlantic.com/thumbor/F3H99uN_Z-5hYxUD3v7YOlfniDc=/1920×1280/media/img/2017/07/26/WEL_Twenge_iGen_Web_Lead/original.jpg

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/

I’ll just leave this here.

Bowling Alone or Kicking in Groups? Wellness concerns…

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/Bowling_Alone.jpg/220px-Bowling_Alone.jpg

I’m part of WellDOM, the Wellness initiative within the Department of Medicine at University of Colorado. As such, I continue to support the idea of Sprints, the way we boost physician and team efficiency and effectiveness using the Electronic Health Record. However, we know that a large part of physician burnout and wellness have to do with other components: a Culture of Wellness and Personal Resilience, in addition to Practice Efficiency.

In thinking more about these broader components, I’m reminded of the work of Robert Putnam’ Bowling Alone, a towering work, documenting the decline of civic virtue and engagement in this country, illustrated most profoundly by the fact that membership in bowling leagues has declined 40% from 1980 to 1993, while individual bowlers rose by 10%. There has been a dramatic drop in face-to-face social gatherings outside of work in the past few decades, and the thought is that this decline in the social fabric has led to isolation, loneliness, and a general decline in civility and personal resilience. See the recent Atlantic article “Kicking in Groups” on this, also.

We’re looking for objective measures that might allow us to survey for and detect burnout and resilience, that might get past ‘soft’ measures like “do you feel burned out” and perhaps measure “Do you have social groups that you meet with regularly at work” or “Do you have social groups that you meet with regularly outside of work”, and also “Do you meet regularly with a mentor or mentee?” We believe that measuring such behaviors MIGHT be a more objective way to determine who is more protected, and who is vulnerable, to burnout.

CMIO’s take? Physician/provider burnout is a real thing; difficult to address; and may be embedded in a larger change in the social fabric. Are you having success thinking about and intervening in this fraught area? Let me know.

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