So, this is ANYTHING but a new idea, but I'm proposing it again at this time in UCSF's history.  As medicine continues to evolve as a delivery care system, as our financial and work stresses increase, and as the expectation continually tends to focus on doing more in less time, the need for regular therapy for our physicans as a support system of self-care for them to undertake these challenges rises in urgency. 

It's time for the ancient divide between medicine and behavioral & psychological sciences to integrate and make friends with each other.  Because we are always better together than we are apart.  When self-care on all levels is advocated for by the hospital and prioritized as a cultural norm and expectation of our physicians, then we are truly putting are best foot forward in excellent care for our patients. 

There are some obstacles to overcome.  For physicians in their 50s and 60s, receiving therapy or psychological help to manage stress held an extreme stigma back in their time when if they openly admitted to receiving counseling, they could be looked upon by the general public as less than competent physicians.  Obviously, the exact opposite is true.  Those physicians who receive regular therapy have better tools with which to manage their stress effectively and have strong support in which they can lean on to help them process the many emotional issues affecting their personal and professional lives.

While the University has a sponsored mental health care plan available to all providers here...this is not what I am suggesting.  I'm suggesting that the culture now be created and advocated for and strongly encouraged to motivate our physicans to receive regular therapy.  The need is evident.  If you surveyed most of the hospital staff and asked them if they believed that our physicians would benefit by receiving regular therapy, I am betting most all would say a collective "Yes, please." 

So, I'm speaking on behalf of the silent majority.  Shame need not be a part of this process. Removing the stigma associated with receiving therapy should be an important part of the University's mission to improve our physician's performance and excellence.  We all know this to be true...but action has to be taken to manifest that knowledge into reality.  So I am doing my part by logging my suggestion on this site.  I hope it's seriously considered.  Thank you.