One of our most powerful tools for supporting physician wellness might be something we already reach for instinctively after a tough shift. Music – whether streaming through earbuds during charting or humming from department speakers – offers a scientifically proven way to combat stress and restore emotional balance in the ED setting.
For emergency physicians, music can serve multiple roles throughout their shift cycle. Before entering the department, specifically chosen “walkup songs” can help establish the right mindset for the challenges ahead. As one healthcare provider noted, these pre-shift playlists can help physicians “feel like they could conquer the world,” creating a psychological foundation for resilience.
During shifts, background music in appropriate settings can help maintain focus and regulate stress levels. According to this University of Nevada article, music around 60 beats per minute can synchronize with brain waves to promote a state of alert relaxation – ideal for the sustained attention required in emergency medicine. When documenting cases or performing routine procedures, carefully selected music can help maintain steady concentration while reducing cognitive fatigue.
The post-shift period is particularly crucial for emotional processing and decompression — and music can actually help lower cortisol levels and heart rate according to Health Psychology Review. Emergency physicians can create specific “wind-down” playlists for their commute home, helping them transition from the high-intensity environment of the ED to their personal lives.This musical decompression serves as an acoustic bridge, allowing physicians to process the day’s events while gradually releasing accumulated tension.
Beyond individual listening, music can foster community within the emergency department. Shared playlists and musical preferences can create moments of connection among staff members, building team cohesion during demanding shifts. Creating department-wide playlists that staff members contribute can foster a sense of shared ownership and community.
The type of music matters less than its personal relevance. Whether it’s classical music for concentration, upbeat pop for energy, or calming instrumental pieces for decompression, the key is finding music that resonates with individual preferences and needs. Research suggests that self-selected music is particularly effective at inducing relaxation and reducing physical and perceived stress.
For emergency physicians looking to incorporate music more intentionally into their wellness routine, here’s a summary of playlists to try out:
- Pre-shift motivation and mental preparation
- Background focus during documentation
- Post-procedure decompression
- End-of-shift transition
- Post-shift processing and recovery
Some physicians have taken their musical engagement further, participating in hospital orchestras or bands, finding that active music-making provides an even deeper level of stress relief and community connection. Read this article about a number of physicians from Kaiser Permanente who play in different musical groups together.
Recap
Whether through listening or playing, music offers emergency physicians a powerful tool for maintaining well-being in one of medicine’s most demanding specialties. Music represents a readily available, evidence-based wellness tool that can be seamlessly integrated into the emergency physician’s daily routine. By thoughtfully incorporating music into both individual and departmental wellness strategies, emergency physicians can better maintain the psychological and emotional resilience necessary for sustained practice in acute care medicine.
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