Published in UAB Insight, Winter 2007

Physician Resource Office

Addressing Physicians' Well-being

To provide comprehensive health services for UAB physicians, residents, medical students, and other health care professionals, the UAB Health System (UABHS) has established the Physician Resource Office. “Our goal is to increase awareness among health professionals about the importance of self-care while pursuing a career dedicated to taking care of others,” says UAB Health System Physician Health Officer Sandra L. Frazier, MD. “We are here to address the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of physicians and other health care providers.” Physician Resource Office staff members include Adrianne Y. Raymond, MA, program director, and Sherry S. Ward, administrative associate.

UABHS Chief Executive Officer David Hoidal says, “We are committed to the well-being of our medical staff and health professionals in training. Consequently, the Health System has established the Physician Resource Office at UAB Highlands on Birmingham’s Southside for our medical staff, students, other health care providers, and physicians in our community.”

“This exceptional resource establishes the health system as a pioneer in the area of physician health,” says UABHS Vice President and Chief Strategy and Quality Officer Scott E. Buchalter, MD.

Prevention and Education
The Physician Resource Office provides numerous health-related prevention and education services including comprehensive one-on-one assessments; short-term individual counseling; enrichment workshops; continuing medical education conferences; continuing care monitoring; and consultation on policy development and implementation related to physician health and peer review. In addition, they offer team building exercises and group sessions on managing difficult patients and families, and coping with patient deaths.

Also among its services are presentations on communicating effectively, balancing professional and family life, handling depression, setting boundaries, and managing anger. “We want to promote healthy behavior and coping mechanisms, particularly in residents, medical students, and other health care profession students that will help not only during their education and training, but also when they begin their careers,” Frazier says.

Physician Enrichment Workshop
Frazier originally implemented the “Health for the Healer” workshop — the first of its kind in the nation — in 2001, with positive responses from par-ticipants. The workshop is offered 3 times a year and is limited to 10 health professionals per session. The 5-day sessions, which help attendees manage their behavior, are certified for 34 hours in AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

“Participants learn to analyze stress and its effects on behavior, recognize healthy and appropriate boundaries among staff, colleagues, and patients, and identify family-system issues that contribute to unwanted behavior,” she says. “At the workshop’s end, participants receive detailed recommendations to help them continue the growth process.”

Sessions are conducted in a supportive atmosphere with professionals who have extensive experience working with physicians and others on the issues they face daily in their practices. All services are private and confidential.

For more information
Dr. Sandra Frazier
1.800.UAB.MIST
mist@uabmc.edu

Professional Staff And Contact Information Sandra Frazier, MD sfrazier@uabmc.edu Adrianne Raymond, MA araymond@uabmc.edu 205.930.7680

Upcoming CME Workshops Health for the Healer* February 5 – 9, 2007 April 30 – May 4, 2007 *Workshops offer 34 American Medical Association PRA Category 1 CME Credits™

PHYSICIAN RESOURCE OFFICE The resource office is located on the sixth floor of UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL. Visit the Physician Resource Office Web site at www.uabhealth.org/physicianhealth.