Beyond Self-Care: Building Team and System Responsibility for Clinician Wellness

SESSION DESCRIPTION

This session emphasizes that palliative care clinicians’ well-being is best supported through workplace-based interventions rather than individual off-hours self-care. It outlines evidence-informed strategies in three domains: workspace design, friendship and psychological safety, and leadership and team building. Examples include incorporating nature, gratitude and reflection spaces; fostering genuine relationships and vulnerability; and using micro-rituals, feedback, wellness challenges, and peer recognition. Through teaching, cases, and interactive activities, participants will explore models to prevent burnout and enhance fulfillment.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Recognize that well-being is not simply a personal responsibility, but is a collective activity that needs to be thoughtfully promoted within the workplace.
  2. Identify evidence-based factors that promote wellness in the workplace. 
  3. Propose at least one actionable change that you can implement in your workplace to promote a culture of wellness.


FACULTY

Kimberly Bower, MD, HMDC, FAAHPM
Medical Director, Pediatric Program, The Elizabeth Hospice

Gary Buckholz, MD, HMDC, FAAHPM
Affiliate Faculty Director, Sanford Institute for Empathy & Compassion
UC San Diego Health

JoAnne Auger, RN
Supportive Care Nurse Coordinator, Rady Children's Health, San Diego