Depression and anxiety are rampant in healthcare. It seems everywhere I turn there is a story about healthcare worker depression and burnout. A recent meta-analysis in JAMA demonstrated up to 30% of medical residents are clinically depressed (1). Residents are not alone. Although few will admit it, many medical faculty and staff also suffer from stress, anxiety and depression (2).

I am a big fan of Positive Psychology— the field that Martin Seligman created many years ago. In addition to helping people Flourish, I believe the lessons of Positive Psychology will usher in the next age of education in healthcare and beyond. Years ago, as I was learning about the field, I came across an interesting exercise that recommended writing down 3 positive things that happened each day. This simple exercise was found to significantly enhance mood. More recently, this technique has been adopted by courses on resilience training.

Twitter is a worldwide platform. We, in healthcare, have a great deal to be thankful for—although in the stressful, fast-paced environment we often forget. I hope you will join me sharing/tweeting three good things each day that happen to you both in your personal and professional life. Please use hashtag #3GTHC (Three Good Things Healthcare). I look forward to seeing your tweets!

Mata DA, Ramos MA, Bansal N, Khan R, Guille C, Di Angelantonio E, et al. Prevalence of Depression and Depressive Symptoms Among Resident Physicians. JAMA. American Medical Association; 2015 Dec 8;314(22):2373–11.
McCue JD. The effects of stress on physicians and their medical practice. New England Journal of Medicine. 1982 Feb 25;306(8):458–63.