Hospitals Deliver Mixed Messages on Wellness

But the fact remains: Subconsciously we all judge those giving us advice. Would you go to a hairstylist who is always having a bad hair day or a dentist with rotting teeth? Yes, these people can still do their jobs, but the image they are promoting (intentionally or not) does not quite align with the profession. We all have our vices; who's to say that thinner people are any healthier? Nurses and physicians have hectic schedules, often with little sleep or downtime, which can adversely affect weight. Why not cut them a break?

If you want to promote wellness within your healthcare organization, offer a weight-loss program like the one at Tampa General, or create other incentive programs that encourage good employee health habits.  

Hospitals have a right to set an example for their patients, but physicians still have the right to make healthy choices on their own accord especially on their own personal time. Staying healthy should remain an unspoken rule in the healthcare community—no one likes a hypocrite.

Readers – do physicians have the responsibility to be healthy role models for their patients? Should hospitals have a role in their workers' wellness? Discuss.

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