Dealing with isolation and loneliness

If faced with a complex clinical scenario, or the management of a difficult patient, a combination of circumstances like those described above may lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness - particularly if peer support is lacking.

It's understandable for clinicians to feel emotional exhaustion after a busy week of treating patients. Many of our members regularly say they feel stressed after difficult patient encounters, and consequently question their own personal efficiency and accomplishments.

These symptoms are commonly referred to as burnout, a term introduced in the early 1970s by psychologist Herman Freudenberger¹. It's well documented that healthcare workers seem to be at particular risk of burnout, and unfortunately this can have a negative impact on both our professional and personal lives.

Healthcare professionals and dentists in general tend to attract a certain type of mindset centred on perfectionism and fear of failure. But by being aware of this, we can manage unintended struggles and burdens more effectively.

How to support your colleagues - and yourself

Happiness is crucial in our overall wellbeing. Surrounding ourselves with people who make positive contributions in our lives is important for our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

The support of a strong group of friends and colleagues can positively impact our self-belief and competence; they can help to increase our sense of belonging and purpose, improve our self-confidence and help us cope with difficult situations.

Being able to cope is important, but we also need to be mindful of our capacity and our emotional and physical reserves. The GDC standards guidance 7.2.3² reminds us to only work within our mental and physical capabilities, but it's important to look for signs of burnout or unhappiness in people we work or socialise with as well.

Points to consider

Newly qualified colleagues may find it difficult to initially reach out for help and advice; fear of being ridiculed may be a barrier to asking.
In the first instance, consider spending lunchbreaks with colleagues, and arranging regular meetings with senior, more experienced colleagues.
If this proves difficult, perhaps reach out to someone like a former educational supervisor or training programme director.

Peer support is crucial to wellbeing and mental resilience, and having a mentor, supportive colleagues and a trusted network is important.

By having an informal chat with colleagues, clinical concerns can be addressed confidentially. Colleagues may be able to provide sensible suggestions and positive support, which is vital when dealing with patients on a daily basis.

Nurturing friendships at work means we can not only support each other, but can also offer different options and opinions about patient care. By working together, we can nurture and build a collaborative environment where we feel safe and supported.

Dentistry is often a close-knit community, so it may be worthwhile reconnecting with old friends or reaching out to peers and colleagues through organisations or networking platforms. By building strong empathetic connections with people, we enhance our individual and collective emotional wellbeing.

Being able to cope is important, but we also need to be mindful of our capacity and our emotional and physical reserves.

Supporting colleagues in general dental practice

Health and wellbeing

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