Flourishing: A Path to Physician Wellbeing and Fulfillment

For a long time, I believed I had signed up for a life of misery.  By accepting my place in medical school, I understood what I was getting into. I knew medical school would be challenging, the hours during residency would be overwhelming, and that the patient always came first in medicine. I was convinced that to be a doctor, especially a good one, I had to be unhappy and put myself second. It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom when I was unsure if I could keep going to work, that I found a coach who helped me realize that being a good doctor also meant taking care of myself. I learned that my patients and I could thrive together. It was about balancing both, not choosing one over the other.

Over the past few years, there has been much discussion about improving the physician’s well-being. How can we enhance our well-being and tackle burnout? I believe it begins with addressing the hidden curriculum in medical school that teaches doctors to sacrifice themselves in the pursuit of perfection and to see failure as unacceptable. Embracing some ideas from positive psychology and including them in medical education could bring about significant change. Dr. Martin Seligman, a prominent positive psychologist, has written extensively about flourishing.

Imagine if we taught incoming medical students to aim for flourishing rather than perfection. Seligman introduced flourishing as a measure of overall well-being and life satisfaction. According to Seligman, flourishing encompasses five key elements: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment (PERMA). When applied to the medical profession, this framework offers valuable insights into physician well-being. PERMA provides insights into how physicians can achieve greater career satisfaction and work-life balance, combat burnout, and find fulfillment.

Flourishing and Physician Wellbeing

The concept of flourishing is particularly relevant for physicians, given the high-stress nature of our work and the increasing rates of burnout in the medical field. By focusing on the elements of PERMA, we can cultivate a more balanced and satisfying professional and personal life.

Positive Emotions: Cultivating joy, gratitude, and optimism in daily practice can help to maintain a positive outlook despite challenging situations. This might involve celebrating small victories, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in activities that bring happiness outside of work.
Engagement: Finding flow in medical practice by aligning tasks with personal strengths and interests can increase job satisfaction. This might involve seeking out specialized roles or procedures that align with a physician’s particular skills and passions.
Relationships: Building strong connections with colleagues, patients, and loved ones provides essential support and meaning. Prioritizing teamwork, mentorship, and quality time with family and friends can contribute significantly to overall well-being.
Meaning: Connecting daily work to a larger purpose or personal values can provide a sense of fulfillment. For many physicians, this might involve focusing on the impact they have on patients’ lives or contributing to medical research and education.
Accomplishment: Setting and achieving personal and professional goals can provide a sense of progress and satisfaction. This might involve pursuing additional certifications, taking on leadership roles, or achieving work-life balance milestones.

Implementing Flourishing in Daily Life

Here are a few ways you can incorporate the principles of flourishing into your daily life:

• Strength-based practice: Identify and leverage personal strengths in clinical work and leadership roles.
• Mindfulness and reflection: Incorporate regular mindfulness practices or journaling to enhance self-awareness and emotional regulation.
• Continuous learning: Engage in ongoing education and skill development to maintain engagement and a sense of growth.
• Boundary setting: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to ensure time for relationships and personal interests.
• Gratitude practice: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate positive aspects of work and life.
• Peer support: Participate in or establish support groups with colleagues to share experiences and coping strategies.
• Physical well-being: Prioritize regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep to support overall health and resilience.

By implementing these strategies, you can work towards flourishing, potentially reduce burnout, increase career satisfaction, and achieve a better work-life balance. This approach will allow you to survive in your demanding profession and thrive and find genuine fulfillment at work and home.

A Call to Action for Physicians

Achieving a state of flourishing is a journey that requires intentional effort and often benefits from professional guidance. That’s why I created The Developing Doctor. I offer specialized coaching services designed to help physicians like you implement the principles of flourishing in their lives. I understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the medical field and will work with you to develop personalized strategies to enhance well-being, career satisfaction, and overall life fulfillment.

Are you interested in getting more out of life? I can support you on your journey towards a more balanced, satisfying, and flourishing life in medicine. Take the first step towards transforming your professional and personal life and schedule a free coaching consult through The Developing Doctor today.