Page 11 - COMP Magazine - Winter 2018
P. 11
By Vesta Yazdani, OMS
Vania Manipod, DO
Medical school is hard. Everyone has heard that the more prone to burnout is because a lot of us have
amount of information learned and synthesized in type A personalities, and failure is not an option.
the first and second years is staggering. And the Often it is a blow to our self-identity and self-
difficulty is not only the amount of material, it is esteem. Any sense of failure is devastating to us.
in the ups and downs of test grades, the constant Instead, we can view it as a way to learn more about
adaptation required for each new course, the ourselves and how to grow from the experience.
pacing of your motivation, realigning priorities VY: How do students combat study burnout and
and balancing life.
what would be the top five recommendations to
When one finds themselves fixated on negative avoid study burnout?
experiences and emotions in a pessimistic way, Dr. Manipod: I want students to have the mindset
while also stuck in a study rut, navigating how to that they can learn from their struggles rather
understand and realign back into a positive state than automatically viewing themselves as a
of mind can be difficult. College of Osteopathic failure. If a student doesn't get the best grade,
Medicine of the Pacific Class of 2008 alumna then being open to making adjustments to
Vania Manipod, DO '08, is an advocate and study habits in order to study more efficiently
champion for the awareness and maintenance of is key. Also, there's immense pressure to study
medical student mental health. Dr. Manipod speaks all the time and guilt associated with taking breaks, Vania Manipod, DO
out regularly regarding burnout, mental health, and but I hope students can view breaks as a time for 3) Be connected.
medical school processes. I had the opportunity to much-needed rest, especially since taking breaks has Staying connected in some way with
interview her about medical student burnout been shown to boost productivity. My top five friends or family. Schedule that into your
specifically in the pre-clinical years.
recommendations would be: calendar, whether it’s going out for dinner, or
VY: What are the key signs of burnout? calling a family member or just being connected
1) Be aware of early warning signs. Know what the
Dr. Manipod: One of the key signs of burnout signs and symptoms of burnout are, and early in some way.
is if taking time off does not renew one's signs. A huge part of my talks is to consider what 4) Pause for gratitude. Start a gratitude journal or
energy, passion, and enthusiasm for their job. the signs and symptoms are. Beware of reflection sort of activity. Self-reflection should
Also, there are three important signs: depersonalization, if it’s taking you awhile to consist of taking negative emotions or things
exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased recover after an exam, a level of exhaustion that that occurred during the day and turning them
sense of accomplishment. is not getting better with time off. into a more positive outlook.
VY: What mindsets or what situations lead to more 2) Find a mentor. Make sure you find a mentor, or 5) Be open to advocating for yourself. Start by
medical student burnout? somebody who you look up to, because they will reaching out to someone you trust. It could be a
be the person you reach out to and talk to when staff member or professors. n
Dr. Manipod: A huge part of burnout is more
emotional than physical. One of the reasons we are you’re having a rough time.
Winter 2018 9
Vania Manipod, DO
Medical school is hard. Everyone has heard that the more prone to burnout is because a lot of us have
amount of information learned and synthesized in type A personalities, and failure is not an option.
the first and second years is staggering. And the Often it is a blow to our self-identity and self-
difficulty is not only the amount of material, it is esteem. Any sense of failure is devastating to us.
in the ups and downs of test grades, the constant Instead, we can view it as a way to learn more about
adaptation required for each new course, the ourselves and how to grow from the experience.
pacing of your motivation, realigning priorities VY: How do students combat study burnout and
and balancing life.
what would be the top five recommendations to
When one finds themselves fixated on negative avoid study burnout?
experiences and emotions in a pessimistic way, Dr. Manipod: I want students to have the mindset
while also stuck in a study rut, navigating how to that they can learn from their struggles rather
understand and realign back into a positive state than automatically viewing themselves as a
of mind can be difficult. College of Osteopathic failure. If a student doesn't get the best grade,
Medicine of the Pacific Class of 2008 alumna then being open to making adjustments to
Vania Manipod, DO '08, is an advocate and study habits in order to study more efficiently
champion for the awareness and maintenance of is key. Also, there's immense pressure to study
medical student mental health. Dr. Manipod speaks all the time and guilt associated with taking breaks, Vania Manipod, DO
out regularly regarding burnout, mental health, and but I hope students can view breaks as a time for 3) Be connected.
medical school processes. I had the opportunity to much-needed rest, especially since taking breaks has Staying connected in some way with
interview her about medical student burnout been shown to boost productivity. My top five friends or family. Schedule that into your
specifically in the pre-clinical years.
recommendations would be: calendar, whether it’s going out for dinner, or
VY: What are the key signs of burnout? calling a family member or just being connected
1) Be aware of early warning signs. Know what the
Dr. Manipod: One of the key signs of burnout signs and symptoms of burnout are, and early in some way.
is if taking time off does not renew one's signs. A huge part of my talks is to consider what 4) Pause for gratitude. Start a gratitude journal or
energy, passion, and enthusiasm for their job. the signs and symptoms are. Beware of reflection sort of activity. Self-reflection should
Also, there are three important signs: depersonalization, if it’s taking you awhile to consist of taking negative emotions or things
exhaustion, depersonalization and decreased recover after an exam, a level of exhaustion that that occurred during the day and turning them
sense of accomplishment. is not getting better with time off. into a more positive outlook.
VY: What mindsets or what situations lead to more 2) Find a mentor. Make sure you find a mentor, or 5) Be open to advocating for yourself. Start by
medical student burnout? somebody who you look up to, because they will reaching out to someone you trust. It could be a
be the person you reach out to and talk to when staff member or professors. n
Dr. Manipod: A huge part of burnout is more
emotional than physical. One of the reasons we are you’re having a rough time.
Winter 2018 9
