Coping Skills for The Medical Assistant Chapter 4 Coping Skills for The Medical Assistant

What Is Stress? Body’s response to mental and physical change What constitutes stress is highly individual and depends on personality type

What Is Stress? Eustress (positive feelings) Distress (negative feelings) Three categories of stressors Frustrations Conflicts Pressure

What Is Stress? Short-duration stress (acute) Longer-duration stress (episodic or chronic) Stress has both negative and positive affects on body

What Is Stress? Body’s Response to Stress Sympathetic nervous system prepares body for “fight or flight” Parasympathetic nervous system returns body to normal after stressor has been removed

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) [Figure 4-1] ^^ Hans Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) theory proposes that four stages are involved in adapting to stress.

Factors Causing Stress Overwhelming situations Feeling of powerlessness Round peg in square hole Traumatic events on the job

Factors Causing Stress Stress in the Work Environment Physical environment Management style Difficult co-workers  Job instability  Technological changes Organization size Overspecialization

Combatting Stress Maintain positive relationships Be respectful of others Be a diligent worker Be willing to learn Be honest Be willing to assume responsibility for your actions

Combatting Stress Maintain positive relationships Express appropriate humor Exemplify attitude of humility Be goal directed Understand Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Effect of Prolonged Stress - Burnout Stages of burnout Honeymoon Reality Dissatisfaction Sad state

Effect of Prolonged Stress - Burnout Results in physical and psychologically illnesses Persons most vulnerable to burnout  Personality type role in susceptibility

General Stress Management Techniques Appropriate and helpful changes in stress management Make concerted effort to say “No” when asked to assume additional work Prioritize work or delegate to others with approval of your supervisor Change your work-related environment by creating variations

General Stress Management Techniques Appropriate and helpful changes in stress management Evaluate the negative feelings about your job and attempt to replace them with more positive thoughts Try to look on work as a “fun” experience and an adventure Establish long- and short-term realistic goals and write them down with plan to make them happen

General Stress Management Techniques Appropriate and helpful changes in stress management Develop strong social support networks Embark on program of relaxation and meditation to reduce stress Start exercise regimen

Goal Setting as a Stress Reliever Outer-directed people vs. inner-directed people Goal-oriented employees More effective and assertive than others who are not

Goal Setting as a Stress Reliever What is a goal? Specific, challenging, realistic, attainable, measurable Long-range versus short-range goals Long-range goals may take 3 to 5 years to accomplish Short-range goals help to achieve long-range goals

Goal Setting as a Stress Reliever Long- and short-range goals help make changes in our lives Goals keep life interesting We can all reach goals successfully