Real strategies to stave off decision fatigue

"Decision fatigue occurs when we struggle on decisions because of the the strain of managing a heavy workload," says François Courcy, a rofessor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sherbrooke who is also an industrial-organizational psychologist, and a certified human resources professional.A 2014 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded this type of fatigue led general practitioners to prescribe more unnecessary antibiotics. Existing in this state can also impact the mental health of healthcare workers, says Courcy.Delegating to protect oneselfThere are many ways to tackle this problem. First, delegate certain decisions whenever possible, he says. "This is particularly relevant for decisions that fall outside our specific duties—such as when colleagues consult us simply to reassure themselves. The key is to foster a greater sense of accountability in those individuals."However, letting go in this way can sometimes be easier said than done."Some people tend to centralize decision-making because delegating causes them stress. And when I ask them if it is truly essential, they often say 'no,'" says Courcy. "They need to accept that others will make good decisions, even if the paths taken to reach the same result might differ."Pacing yourself is not counterproductivePostponing a decision is sometimes the wiser move, suggests Courcy. "It’s a bit like when a muscle is tired after an intense or prolonged workout," he explains. "You have to give yourself time to rest."The psychologist also advises taking regular breaks—times when no decisions are made. "To recharge, you need to do the opposite of what drains your energy," he recommends. "If I’m in a high-performance environment, I need to do the reverse—to 'underperform,' in a sense. So, to combat decision fatigue, opt for activities like an outdoor walk or a meal at a restaurant."Studies show that people who take regular breaks have more energy at the end of the day, without any drop in productivity, he notes. In 2017, research published in the Annals of Surgery reached similar conclusions after specifically examining the case of surgeons. "You aren't more efficient if you work non-stop. Quite the opposite," says Courcy.Even though healthcare professionals offer advice to their patients, they sometimes fail to follow it themselves, he notes. "I’ve seen doctors invent hobbies just to make people think they’re taking care of themselves, when in reality they aren't. And yet, it is crucial that they actually do so."This article has been translated from its original French and first appeared on our sister site Profession Santé. References:Linder JA, Doctor JN, Friedberg MW, Reyes Nieva H, Birks C, Meeker D, Fox CR. Time of Day and the Decision to Prescribe Antibiotics. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Dec;174(12):2029-2031. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.5225.Park AE, Zahiri HR, Hallbeck MS, Augenstein V, Sutton E, Yu D, Lowndes BR, Bingener J. Intraoperative “Micro Breaks” With Targeted Stretching Enhance Surgeon Physical Function and Mental Focus: A Multicenter Cohort Study. Ann Surg. 2017 Feb;265(2):340-346. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000001665.

Real strategies to stave off decision fatigue

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