Managing the Stress of Teaching in the Clinical Setting: Balancing Patient Care, Learning, and Emotional Work
Lara Zisblatt1, Rachel Moquin2, Danielle Saab1
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract:
Teaching in the operating room requires balancing patient safety, production pressures, clinical complexity, team dynamics, and the emotional work of supervision. Stress and uncertainty influence how faculty grant autonomy and how much teaching occurs during patient care, with teaching appropriately expanding and contracting in response to clinical demands. Moderate-stress conditions often support brief, embedded instruction, whereas low-stress moments allow for deeper conceptual teaching. Constructive approaches to learner and faculty mistakes are essential to maintaining trust, psychological safety, and educator well-being. This review offers practical strategies to help anesthesiology faculty teach effectively while sustaining resilience in high-stakes clinical environments.
Related Concept Videos
Psychological Responses to Stress
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data from the...
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques III
The Role of Exercise in Stress Management
Regular physical activity is essential for reducing stress and promoting cardiovascular health. Exercise strengthens the heart, enhances blood flow, keeps blood vessels flexible, and helps lower blood pressure, all of which reduce the body's stress response. Research shows that adults who exercise regularly have nearly half the risk...
