Life is unpredictable. It can throw us a curveball when we least expect it. Sometimes, we face a health crisis that can turn our lives upside down. Whether it’s an illness or a medical procedure, the road to recovery can be long and challenging for anyone, even an NHS doctor. However, it’s important to remember that strength lies within us, and we can overcome any obstacle with resilience, courage, and determination.
Returning to work after an illness can be particularly challenging. You have to deal with the physical and emotional aftermath. But also navigate the workplace and manage your workload. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious about returning to work, but there are ways to make the transition smoother and more manageable.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing some valuable tips from the journey of an NHS doctor Dr Anisha, a renowned medical professional, who shared her experiences on how to find strength in adversity and successfully return to work after an illness at our recently launched Mylocum Healthcare Summit, ‘Trust Me, I work in the NHS’.
Dr Anisha shared her journey and said, ‘One fateful day, I decided I would like to go to work because I didn’t want to be the patient anymore. I struggled with my identity and decided to approach my practice three months after I finished treatment.’
Steps to Returning (and Thriving) to Work after an illness – Suggestions from an NHS Doctor
1.List all the physical symptoms where you practise.
Be honest with yourself and your employer. When returning to work after illness, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your limitations and needs. Take the time to assess your physical and emotional health, and communicate any concerns or accommodations you may need to your employer. This can include reduced hours, modified tasks, or a flexible schedule.
For instance, Dr Anisha mentioned in her talk,
‘I’ve mentioned the nerve pains that I had post-chemotherapy as well as the mental health issues that I was suffering with. The anxiety, the claustrophobia and the PTSD that I hadn’t quite realised I was suffering with. I went and had a meeting with my practice, and I told them all my concerns. I felt quite professional as I sat there through the tears, telling them how I was worried about returning to work.’
Keen on learning more about the Summit talk? Head to the link to immerse yourself in the sea of unparalleled insights –
With your intentions of potentially returning to work, it is important to list all the physical symptoms that you might experience post your recovery at work.
2. Ease back into work gradually.
Returning to work after illness is not a race, and it’s important to ease back into work gradually. Don’t expect to jump back into your previous workload immediately. Instead, start with a lighter workload and increase your responsibilities as you feel more comfortable and confident.
Dr Anisha said, ‘The fact that I didn’t know if I could sit through a consultation without needing to go to the toilet. The fact that I was so fatigued. I didn’t know if I could last a day. We had a very open conversation, it was very supportive, and we decided we’d take it at a steady pace. I’d initially do paperwork and non-patient-facing work to get myself back and my brain back into the zone. ‘
However, everyone’s situation is different! Your circumstances, your social setup, the type of job you’re doing, the treatment you’ve had, your expectations and actually if you go back to work too prematurely it might set you up for a fall. So take your time and decide.
3. Take care of your physical and emotional health.
Returning to work after an illness can be stressful, both physically and emotionally. It’s important to prioritise self-care during this time, including getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in regular exercise.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to seek professional support if needed. A therapist or psychologist can help you navigate the emotional challenges of returning to work after illness and develop coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
For NHS Doctor Dr Anisha, the swift shift to a working routine resulted in Burnout and did impact her mental health. Her number one tip which she shared with us during the Healthcare Summit was about communication and having open communication channels with your employer and with those around you.
4. Focus on your strengths.
Returning to work after an illness can leave you feeling uncertain about your abilities and skills. However, it’s important to focus on your strengths and the skills that make you valuable to your employer.Take the time to reflect on your accomplishments and the unique contributions you bring to your job. This can help boost your confidence and remind you of your value as an employee.
The caveat of recovery is never linear. It’s never a straight line. As time passes, you get better and manage to do more with your job. Just know that there’s always help there. Within your contract, the stipulations of what you can and can’t do may need to be reviewed as well. So if you find you’re struggling, do not hesitate to tell people. It’s okay if you’ve been fine for a few weeks and then suddenly you’re not, but people may not realise this. Ensure to communicate.
5.Set realistic goals.
When returning to work after illness, it’s important to set realistic goals for yourself. Don’t expect to accomplish everything at once, and break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
By setting achievable goals and celebrating your accomplishments along the way, you can build confidence and stay motivated.
While sharing her post-traumatic growth journey, Dr Anisha said, ‘In terms of post-traumatic growth, I’ve got a different perspective. There’s the spiritual growth that people talk about. There are new opportunities and new challenges that come your way. That’s something that I’ve decided to use on my doctor-patient platform within the media, on TV, on the radio, in and within my book, and within social media platforms.’
6. Stay optimistic.
We must try and find the positives in what life throws at us. Try to take every experience and move forward. Try and make sure that you cherish the people that have been around you and helped you every day. From the day of your diagnosis to recovering and practising gratitude, journaling, writing and everything that helped you live positively after the illness. Show your appreciation and stay positive.
Dr Anisha also said, ‘Try to compartmentalise your illness. I’ve had therapy. I’ve talked about it. I feel I’ve processed it. Now I feel I can pop it back in a box. I can compartmentalise it, and although I am reminded of it daily through side effects and symptoms that I still have post-treatment. I’m able to put it away in a box safely, and it tends to come out when I have surveillance scans or during scan times when the anxiety goes again.
One must celebrate every win, big or small, it doesn’t matter. Try and focus on the things that you can control rather than focusing on the things that you can’t, fueling that endless cycle of worry.
7. Exercise
Exercise is necessary for a positive lifestyle. Most of us might not experience mental health issues pre-diagnosis.
Dr Anisha mentioned, ‘I had never gone through therapy and actually what was really interesting is to go through that process that our patients do and fully understand the challenges about having therapy and the fact that actually, one therapy doesn’t fit all.’
The Positives of Going through an illness for an NHS Doctor
1. Increased Empathy
Experiencing an illness firsthand can help doctors better understand what their patients are going through. It can also give them more insight into the physical and emotional challenges that their patients face, which can increase their ability to empathize and connect with them.
2.Personal Growth
Dealing with an illness can be a challenging and transformative experience. It can push doctors to develop new coping mechanisms, build resilience, and gain a new appreciation for life. These experiences can help doctors grow both personally and professionally.
3.Better Patient Care
Doctors who have gone through an illness may be better equipped to provide high-quality care to their patients. They may have a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional challenges that their patients face and be better able to provide compassionate and effective treatment.
Returning to work is a Monumental Milestone, and if you’re thinking about returning to work or have returned to work, we want to say a huge congratulations. It’s not easy, but you’ve done it so well, and as we say, there’s always help out there for everyone, even for an NHS doctor.
We hope we managed to encourage and support your will to thrive in a professional setting after a life-altering illness.
FAQs
1.How do NHS doctors get paid?
In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) employs doctors who are paid according to a system of pay scales known as the NHS pay scales. These pay scales determine a doctor’s salary based on their level of experience, seniority, and specialisation.
2.What is an NHS doctor’s salary?
An NHS doctor’s salary in the UK depends on various factors such as their level of experience, specialty, and location. Here are some approximate salary ranges based on the current NHS pay scales:
Foundation Year doctor: £29,384 to £34,012 per year
Specialty: £50,373 to £78,759 per year
Consultant: £88,364 to £119,133 per year
These figures are for full-time positions and do not include additional payments such as overtime, on-call allowances, and bonuses. It’s also worth noting that doctors in the NHS typically receive a range of employment benefits, including paid annual leave, sick leave, and access to the NHS Pension Scheme.
3.Who is a locum doctor?
A locum doctor is a temporary or freelance doctor who is hired to work in place of a regular doctor who is absent or on leave. Locum doctors may work in various medical settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Locum doctors may also be hired to work on a short-term basis to help manage a sudden surge in patient demand or to cover for a doctor who has left the practice.
4.How to become a locum doctor in the UK?
To work as a locum doctor, you must possess full qualifications as a doctor, just as you would for a permanent full-time position. This entails being fully registered with the GMC (General Medical Council) as a GP or practitioner. Having multiple credentials and ample experience can significantly enhance your chances of being selected from a large pool of candidates. This will provide you with a competitive edge and improve your prospects of securing a locum doctor position.
Wish to be a locum in the UK? Here’s a link for better insights – How to become a locum doctor in the UK
You can go visit our website and you can go to the CV-Library to find more job opportunities for All Healthcare Workers.
