- Only 8% of people successfully complete their new years resolution. To be in the 8%, you must have a growth mindset going into your resolutions.
- For an extra boost of accountability, vocalize your 2024 goals to family members or like minded friends.
- How you communicate with patients can improve their adherence and outcomes, especially in challenging behavioral changes. Make it a goal this year to master doctor-patient communication skills.
- Get ahead of burnout this year by incorporating mindfulness into your routine, focusing on sleep quality, and educating yourself on the symptoms.
- Achieve a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries, prioritizing personal time, and using your vacation days.
- Prioritize continuing ed and professional development in 2024 to stay up-to-date on the latest guidelines and provide the highest quality care to your patients.
- Bonus! Stay motivated with a study challenge and keep track of important dates in your specialty!
Taking on a New Year's resolution is an exciting journey towards self-improvement and growth. Each year, only about 8% of people successfully complete their new years resolution. Want to be one of those dedicated individuals?
The key to success lies in transforming your approach to change. Adopt a mindset that focuses on growth and proactive action throughout the year. This positive outlook will be your cornerstone in maintaining long-term goals.
One effective strategy to maintain commitment is to vocalize your goals. Sharing your resolutions with a family member, announcing them on social media, or partnering with a friend who has similar aspirations creates a powerful network of support and accountability. This community involvement boosts your motivation and commitment to your goals.
And if you're on the lookout for New Year's resolution ideas that will enhance your role as a physician, you're in the right place. Get ready for some inspiring ideas that will set you on a path to professional and personal development!
1. Commit to improving your patient communication skills
Make 2024 the year you master your doctor-patient communication skills. Effective communication with patients is a cornerstone of delivering high-quality care. Studies show that training in these skills not only improves interactions but also significantly increases patient adherence to medical advice, leading to healthier outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
We've written some blogs to help you tackle your doctor-patient communication skills, make sure to bookmark these to read later:
2. Stay ahead of burnout in the new year
More than half of the physicians in the US report at least one symptom of burnout. Make it a priority in 2024 to stay ahead of burnout symptoms.
- Keep mindfulness in your practice. It's not just about reducing stress; it's also about enhancing your overall health and emotional well-being. Mindfulness creates a buffer between you and your automatic reactions to stressful situations.
Begin with a small, manageable goal - commit to practicing mindfulness for just two to three minutes each day. As this becomes a more comfortable part of your routine, gradually increase the time you dedicate to it. By making this a regular habit, you’ll find it increasingly easier to maintain a mindful state throughout your busy day.
Here are some mindfulness tools we've compiled to help! Bookmark these to read later:
- Educate yourself on physician burnout and how to prevent it:
3. Pledge to achieve a healthy work-life balance
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is especially challenging yet essential for physicians, given the demanding nature of the profession. Here are ways to implement this resolution:
- Use your vacation time! Using your vacation time is a perfect way to commit to this resolution of a health work-life balance. Taking advantage of your vacation time is proven to decrease stress, prevent burnout, and help you learn new things!
- Set clear boundaries: If you're able, establish specific work hours and stick to them as much as possible. This includes limiting after-hours work and not bringing work home. Use technological tools to manage your availability, like setting up an 'out of office' reply during off-hours.
- Learn say no: Recognize that you can’t do everything. Delegate tasks when possible. Also, learn to say no to additional commitments that don't align with your priorities.
- Prioritize family and personal time: Actively set aside time for family and personal activities. Whether it’s a regular date night, family outings, or personal hobbies, having these events in your calendar ensures that you allocate time to them just as you would for professional commitments.
4. Make 2024 a year to give back
Volunteering and community service can be a great way for physicians to contribute beyond their regular clinical settings, offering a unique opportunity to make an impact. Here are a couple ideas to get you started on your giving-back journey for the new year:
- Allocate time to community health programs. Offer your expertise in health clinics for underserved communities, community health fairs, or mobile medical units. These platforms are ideal for providing basic healthcare services, conducting health screenings, and offering educational workshops on preventive care and healthy lifestyles.
- Collaborate with local schools to organize health education sessions, addressing topics like nutrition, mental health, and substance abuse prevention. This not only aids in early detection and prevention of diseases but also helps in building a healthier community.
5. Prioritize continuing education and professional development
For physicians like you, the resolution to focus on continuing education can be incredibly impactful, both for personal growth and for enhancing patient care. With the ever-evolving field of medicine, prioritizing med ed is key to stay at the forefront of guideline and updates.
Here are a couple ways you can make continuing ed a focal point in your year:
- Attend a medical conference or workshop. Attending a medical education course is a great way to refresh your knowledge, identify areas for improvement, prepare you for for boards, and you get to network with peers when you join in-person.
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- For internists: Join us for a comprehensive IM Review Course in 2024.
- For pediatricians: Join us for our 6-days of expert-guided lectures in 2024.
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- Keep your practice up-to-date with lectures. If you can't attend a course in 2024 and are looking for a more flexible review, you can get on-demand lectures that fit into your schedule. Are you current with all the latest guideline updates? Make sure you have all the latest information throughout the year with lectures from expert physician educators.
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- For internists: get access to the Internal Medicine Video Board Review.
- For pediatricians: get access to the Pediatrics Video Board Review.
- For internists: get access to the Internal Medicine Video Board Review.
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- Dedicate time to answer patient scenario questions each day or week. This practice keeps your diagnostic skills sharp. Engaging with these scenarios simulates real-life patient interactions, enhancing your clinical reasoning and decision-making skills. It's a proactive approach to learning, allowing for continuous improvement in patient care and staying abreast of the latest medical trends and treatments. This habit not only benefits your professional development but also directly impacts the quality of care your patients receive!
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- For internists:Get started with the Internal Medicine Qbank+.
- For pediatricians: Get started with the Pediatrics Qbank+.
- For internists:Get started with the Internal Medicine Qbank+.
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Bonus resolution idea! Get motivated in the new year by joining a study challenge
Don't miss out on our 14-Day Study Challenge! This challenge is designed specifically for physicians who want to focus some time and energy to studying over the next 14 days. By joining, you'll receive daily emails, each packed with powerful strategies to kickstart your productivity, present a fresh challenge to conquer, and keep you inspired.
Dive into evidence-based learning techniques, expertly crafted to enhance your study routine. Plus, you'll gain access to a treasure trove of tips for sustaining motivation and steering clear of study slumps.
Ready to kick-start the New Year? We've rounded up the most important dates for internal medicine and important dates for pediatrics, so you don't need to keep track of them all year long.
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