This book includes a plain text version that is designed for high accessibility. To use this version please follow this link.
75 physicians— who were more inter- ested in earning wellness-based CMEs than seeking a yoga-festival experience. And, indeed, the second symposium evolved to offer more CMEs than the first, and benefited from a small edu- cational grant provided by Heel Inc., a New Mexico–based homeopathic- remedies supplier. Gaining acceptance for medicine


and yoga wellness continuing medi- cal education as a means to alleviate physician burnout was a challenge to begin with, since CMEs primarily teach physicians about disease management in their patients — not themselves. The American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) reviewed the sec- ond symposium program and found it acceptable for up to 25 prescribed cred- its, earned through attending sessions that explored yoga’s effect on stress hormones and cardiovascular health, the benefits of a vegetarian diet, as well as some medical-practice–focused ses- sions. For example, the session “Yoga for Cardiovascular Disease: Medicare’s Got That Covered” provided informa- tion on insurance reimbursement.


EAT, PRESCRIBE, LOVE At both symposiums, doctors learned relaxation practices including deep- breathing exercises and yoga — both for themselves and to share the techniques with patients. Experiential learning is key to the symposium, so after a session on proper yoga form and relaxation, participants practice what they’ve learned, unrolling yoga mats in a large room and slipping into Lotus, Pigeon, and Corpse poses. “Future [medical] conferences must


take a page from Dr. Khalsa’s plan,” said Sara Gottfried, M.D., a Harvard-trained physician who presented at the 2012 symposium. “[They should] teach doctors not only new data as part of continuing education, but offer the


PCMA.ORG


proven rejuvenating strategies that pre- vent burnout, such as yoga, meditation, music, and healthy food.” While relaxation may be the name


of the game at Mountain Pose, sessions are run like clockwork. “We have strict start and stop times monitored by someone other than the presenter or participants,” Khalsa said. Timekeepers include other physicians, guest present- ers, and volunteer moderators, who keep the program on track. Plans for the next Mountain Pose


Medicine and Yoga Symposium — as yet unscheduled, but expected to be held this summer — include more “simula- tion and case-based presentations outside the lecture room,” Khalsa said. During mealtimes, for example, pre- senters will discuss topics like digestion and probiotics. She also plans to free up more time for family inclusion, she said, “to cover topics that could involve family members to a greater extent, or include activities specific for spouses or children to do during CME hours.” Khalsa is confident that Mountain


Pose is tapping into an unmet need. At other medical conferences that she attends throughout the United States, she meets physicians eager to learn how to better balance their busy profes- sional lives and self-care needs. While attending the AAFP Scientific Assem- bly in Philadelphia this past October, Khalsa observed other attendees inquire about future wellness confer- ences designed for physicians. “CME on wellness is definitely in


demand within the health-care sys- tem,” Khalsa said, “and specifically in demand by the providers of the health- care system.”


.


Elise Oberliesen is a journalist and principal of Big Mountain Media, based in Westminster, Colo.


+


BREAKOUT


Preventing Physician Burnout


The Osler Symposium also provides medical education, networking, and a provocative lineup of sessions and activities geared toward physician health and well-being. Medical- conference professional Janice Mancuso launched the event in May 2011; the second symposium was held Oct. 20–23, 2012, in San Diego.


Mancuso said the conference “has been thoughtfully designed to appeal to physicians who are experiencing burnout and/or are contemplating leaving medicine, as well as those who simply need time to ‘recharge’ their batteries.” The program addresses the reality of physicians’ long days and heavy patient loads with breakout sessions such as


“Applying the New Science of Happiness,” “Learn the Lessons of Social Intelligence,” and “Reflective Writing and Healing.”


Satkirin Khalsa, M.D., is a fan of the Osler Symposium, which covers a broader range of stress-reduction techniques than her Mountain Pose Medicine and Yoga Symposium. Khalsa said: “[The Osler Symposium]


… incorporates endeavors and hobbies and interests like journaling, poetry, music, and other creative pursuits … to remember our passion as individuals, which enhances balance in life and wellness overall.”


› Learn more about the Mountain Pose Medicine and Yoga Symposium at convn.org/ mountain-pose. › For more information on the Osler Symposium, visit oslersymposia.org.


ON THE WEB


JANUARY 2013 PCMA CONVENE


47


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108