Postgrad Med J. 2016 May 23. pii: postgradmedj-2016-134131. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2016-134131. [Epub ahead of print]

Running on empty: a review of nutrition and physicians' well-being.

Hamidi MS1, Boggild MK2, Cheung AM2.

Author information

• 1University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• 2University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Resident and physician burnout is a complex issue. Adequate nutrition and hydration play important roles in the maintenance of health and well-being of all individuals. Given the high prevalence of burnout in physicians, we believe that in addition to issues related to heavy workload, structure and length of shifts, the current status of physicians' nutrition and hydration and their effects on their work performance and well-being should also be addressed. In this review, we summarise the current evidence on the potential effects of nutrition and hydration on physicians' occupational well-being and performance, identify gaps and discuss opportunities to address nutrition as one of the important means of improving physicians' well-being.