Keeping the Fire Alive: How to avoid burn out

“She was APPROVED”. I remember exclaiming those words regarding my first patient case. I must say, I had a pretty great introduction into the process of medical assistance enrollment. My first patient was kind, openly appreciative, and cooperative. She made it so easy to advocate for her. Her case manager was very pleasant and was fairly easy to get in contact with. I remember thinking, this service year is going to be delightfully straightforward! I could not fathom why there seems to be so much burnout in social and human services. Successfully being her advocate was one the best accomplishments of my life. It was going to be such an honor to be able do this for the next ten months.
Of course, rejections started to trickle in. I wasn’t deterred! My patients were in dire need of care and health coverage. Annie, my NHC director, warned us of the difficulties and possible frustrations with serving this patient population. But then my patient volume suddenly increased, almost exponentially. The more efficient and effective I became, the more other people came forward with their needs. Each case became more unique and more complex. Every day, I was being introduced to the different barriers and setbacks that came with my patient population. My mentor left for maternity leave, increasing my workload even more. I was very concerned for my passion and excitement for service. My complex cases seemed almost hopeless and not worth the effort. The simple, straightforward cases became mundane. I was determined to stay motivated and engaged in my position. It was important to me to honor this service opportunity and do it well. More importantly, I didn’t want the “burn out” feeling to follow me into my healthcare career. I plan to work with the underserved, uninsured, and the underrepresented. This was the time for me to develop good foundational habits.  I was intentional about doing three things in order to avoid the burnout.
First, I surrounded myself with like-minded people. Having a community with the same goals and mindsets was uplifting for me. Of course, my fellow AmeriCorps members comprised most of this community. When we come together, we reflect on our goals, share inspiring stories, and exchange resources.
Second, I found a mentor who inspired me and guided me. I noticed a significant difference when my mentor was on maternal leave. Before, she was the person I shared my goals with. She encouraged me and challenged me. Her career and successes had served as an outline for my own accomplishments. Before she came back I was introduced to Maureen Gilarski, a Medical Assistance and Financial Benefits Coordinator at Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center. She is a phenomenal award winning member of this community. She revived my fervor to work hard and continue setting goals for myself.
The third and most important thing was reconnecting with my patients. They are truly the best reminder for why I do what I do. In the midst of the business and disorder, I take the extra step to learn about their past, their community, and their plans for the future. Honestly, being invited into someone’s life journey is the highest honor and an amazing motivator.
I believe as an AmeriCorps member, it is my duty to provide the highest quality care I can. As a future physician, I intended to abide to this standard. Even though I can relate the “burn out” feeling our public servants face, I have the tools to battle it. This service experience has truly given me insight and perspective. I can now say with confidence that I look forward to dedicating my life and career to this mission.