Well-Being and Resilience

ASH members are passionate about their work, but even the most brilliant minds need rest. That is why our mission to help hematologists conquer blood diseases worldwide goes beyond educational, funding, and networking opportunities. Clinicians, researchers, and other members of hematology care teams must prioritize their own health. Their well-being affects the strength of the industry as well as patient outcomes.

At the same time, institutions are compelled to recognize employee burnout and must enact strategies to combat it. Explore the following resources for clinicians, researchers, and trainees. ASH welcomes feedback from the hematology community on ways to support well-being, resilience, and sustainability.

Insights for Individuals

Be kind to yourself, do not be afraid to ask for help, and ignore arbitrary expectations

In her essay for ASH Clinical News, Brea C. Lipe, MD, reflected on her experience as a woman and mother working in academic medicine.

Make time for down time

Whether you spend it alone or with others, down time away from work is necessary to avoid professional burnout. Take your PTO! Travelling, reading, recreation, journaling, and nurturing a hobby are all great ways to unwind. Physical exercise is excellent for stress management, keeping your energy up, and resetting your mind.

Nurture your friendships (in person and virtually)

In-person gatherings are important for building relationships but using technology to stay in touch is also valuable. Aaron Gerds, MD, shared this advice in a column for ASH Clinical News. He described how a group text chain started in-person at the ASH annual meeting evolved into an ongoing safe space for peers to ask questions, vent frustrations, and feel less isolated.

Volunteering can improve mental health

Giving back to your community can restore a sense of purpose. ASH has several opportunities for hematologists to volunteer their time and expertise. Take it from Veronica Flood, MD, who was a mentor for the ASH Careers in Hematology Advancement Mentorship Program (CHAMP). She said the experience helped her combat burnout and feel reenergized about her work.

Insights for Workplaces

ASH Well-Being and Resilience Working Group

The Well-Being and Resilience Working Group is comprised of members of the Committee on Practice, the Committee on Training, the Committee on Education, Trainee Council, and additional ASH members with an interest in physician wellness. The working group recommends and explores actions that ASH can take related to well-being and resilience.

 

If you are interested in being a member, please contact ASH Policy and Practice Manager, Myra Masood.

Building Resilience at ASH Annual Meetings

ASH annual meetings are known for their unparalleled hematology programming and networking activities, but they also make space for wellness. Attendees have access to:

  • The ASH Foundation Run/Walk 3K and 5K
  • Micro-learning sessions at the ASH Wellness Studio
  • Affinity group meetups
  • Quiet rooms
  • Nursing lounges
  • Complimentary onsite child care
  • Yoga sessions
  • Games

ASH staff can also provide accessibility accommodation, as part of our goal to offer a safe and inclusive environment for all.

ASH Clinicians in Practice

The ASH Clinicians in Practice (ACIP) was developed to amplify the voices of practitioners within the Society. The ACIP is comprised of practicing hematologists across the U.S. with interests in hematology care issues, quality of care, new health care delivery systems, and practice management issues. Members include representatives from various practice settings, such as community-based private practices, practices owned by large, non-hospital entities, hospital-based practices at non-academic medical centers, and practices owned by academic medical centers.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience

In 2017 NAM launched the Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience, a network of organizations—including ASH—committed to reversing trends in clinician burnout. The Action Collaborative’s three goals include: Improving baseline understanding of challenges to clinician well-being. Raising the visibility of clinician stress and burnout. Elevating evidence-based, multidisciplinary solutions that will improve patient care by caring for the caregiver.

Visit the Action Collaborative Website

Resource for APPs: Team-Based Care Toolkit

Developed by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Team-Based Care Toolkit is designed to enhance collaboration between internal medicine physicians and advanced practice providers. The resources contained in this toolkit can help achieve a positive and efficient working environment, increase productivity, and improve patient outcomes.

View the Toolkit

Association of American Medical Colleges

In 2021 the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) released a report, “The Rise of Wellness Initiatives in Health Care: Using National Survey Data to Support Effective Well-Being Champions and Wellness Programs.” The report is a product of the AAMC’s Council on Faculty and Academic Societies Faculty Resilience Committee and presented findings from two surveys that examined common characteristics of wellness programs and the roles and responsibilities of the health care professionals who lead wellness efforts. The report also presented 10 recommendations for how medical schools and teaching hospitals can promote a culture of well-being and develop and support wellness leaders and initiatives.

Read the Report

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Stay up to date on all of ASH's resilience efforts. Sign up for one of the Society's newsletters, Practice Update or Hematopoiesis!

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