Allison Chrestensen, MPH, OTR, is a licensed occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience specializing in cancer rehabilitation. After earning her Masters of Public Health degree, Allison worked in healthcare quality improvement, leading large-scale projects for Medicaid waiver programs and conducting training programs for providers. Inspired by her own patient experience after a catastrophic cardiac event, she co-created a Patient/Family Engagement-focused workshop series that has empowered healthcare organizations around the country to build models for partnership with patients and families. She has served as an advisory board member for the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Institute for Patient and Family-Centered Care and is currently faculty for The Beryl Institute for Patient Experience. Allison has a special interest in medical humanities and has trained internationally in mindfulness and narrative medicine practices through the University of Rochester’s Mindful Practice Program. She serves as a faculty member for Duke University’s Reimagine Medicine program, which aims to improve provider wellbeing and patient-provider relationships through the exploration of arts & humanities in medical training. Allison’s consulting company, Tandem Healthcare Solutions, offers “Replenishing the Well” workshops and talks, which teach creative and contemplative practices to help healthcare practitioners cultivate joy in work and reduce emotional distress.

On the episode, Allison talks about burnout and compassion fatigue and shares resources to help occupational therapy practitioners and other healthcare providers combat issues related to these conditions. For more information including resources mentioned on the show, visit the website www.ontheair.us