Thriving in the Trenches: How Physicians Can Reclaim Joy in a Broken System
I sat at my desk, staring at the email from my scheduler. Another patient needed an urgent appointment, but my clinic was overbooked for months. Frustration welled up as I faced with the all-too-familiar dilemma: overbook and risk burnout, or tell the patient to wait six months for care they needed now. This wasn’t just my struggle—it’s a symptom of a healthcare system that often leaves physicians and patients stranded.
Such emails flood my inbox, each one about patients with urgent medical needs requiring swift attention. Working in a large university setting means I don’t have control over clinic room availability, my specific assignments in pediatric cardiology, or the unpredictable medical conditions of my patients that demand frequent and sometimes unexpected follow-ups.
The shift toward employed (rather than independent) physicians has made this tension even sharper. We’re caught between institutional constraints and the oath we swore. But through trial, error—and eventual clarity—I discovered a truth: Even in chaos, we can carve out purpose.
In moments like these, I’ve faced two choices:
1. Let frustration take over and tell patients to wait six months, adding to their distress and mine.
2. Overbook my schedule, risking my personal time, increasing stress, and edging closer to burnout.
Neither served my patients or my sanity. But there was a third option—one I wish I’d learned early in my career: Focus on your sphere of influence.
The Turning Point: Choosing Agency Over Despair
I recognized something needed to change. I took a step back to reflect on why I became a physician. Was it the desire to make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives? The thrill of solving complex medical puzzles? Reconnecting with my ‘why’ was the catalyst that transformed my frustration into purposeful action. It reminded me that amidst the chaos, my core mission remained clear: to provide the best care possible to my patients.
Identify Your Sphere of Influence
Here’s the insight that shifted everything: We can’t fix broken systems overnight, but we can control how we operate within them. For me, that meant three strategic pivots:
1. Speak the Language of Solutions
First, I worked on my communication skills. I knew how to communicate with my patients, but I never learnd how to speak “hospital adminstrator.” It is like another language. I recognized that if I wanted things to change, I need to learn how to use my voice in a way that it would be heard.
2. Build Teams, Not Hierarchies
Medical training obsesses over individual competence. But in the real world, collaboration is survival. I ditched the “fix your weaknesses” mantra common in medical education, and leaned into my team’s strengths. Our nurse practitioner excelled at patient education. Our scheduler had a knack for prioritizing emergencies. By aligning roles with natural talents, we cut redundant work and rediscovered camaraderie (research confirms this—team dynamics are everything).
3. Pull the Tiny Levers
Big systemic change? A pipe dream. But small, intentional tweaks? Revolutionary. I looked for small tweaks in our daily routines that could enhance efficiency. Implementing a more streamlined scheduling system reduced administrative burdens and freed up time for patient care. Even minor adjustments can lead to significant improvements in our workflow.
Leverage Your Strengths and Those Around You
Every physician brings a unique set of skills to the table. I recognized that by collaborating with colleagues whose strengths complemented mine, we could achieve more together than we ever could alone. This collaborative spirit not only improved patient care but also created a supportive and satisfying work environment for all of us.
Mastery & Wellness: A Solution to Physician Burnout
At one point, I was skeptical about my ability to change things. However, after working with a coach my perspective changed and I recognized that we, as physicians, can impact the delivery of healthcare within a broken system. That is why I created “Mastery and Wellness: How to Thrive as A Physician.” This online, self-paced program covers essential non-clinical skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, time management, and goal setting across eight comprehensive modules and 36 video lessons. With self-assessments and CME credits, it is designed to fit into your hectic schedule.
Embrace Change One Step at a Time
Reconnecting with my purpose and focusing on what I can control has rekindled the joy I once felt when I put on the white coat for the first time. It’s not about waiting for the system to change overnight but making consistent, small efforts to align my personal values with my professional duties. Taking back control is a potential solution to physician burnout.
A Practical Example
Let me circle back to that original email story. Instead of succumbing to frustration or overbooking beyond reason, I collaborated with my scheduler to create private slots specifically for urgent add ons. This approach provided some control over an otherwise rigid system. It improved access to care for patients in need without overhauling the entire healthcare infrastructure. It made things better for my patients, the scheduler, and me. By working within my sphere of influence, I found a balance that benefited everyone.
Take the Next Step
Rediscovering joy amidst a complex and often frustrating healthcare system is possible. By focusing on what you can influence, developing essential skills, and leading with purpose, you can transform your professional experience and make a meaningful difference in the lives of your patients and colleagues.
I encourage you to enroll in “Mastery and Wellness: How to Thrive as A Physician” . This program is one solution to physician burnout. It equips you with the tools and insights needed to navigate the healthcare labyrinth with confidence and grace. Don’t wait for change to happen—be the change you wish to see in your career today.
Stay encouraged, embrace your sphere of influence, and reclaim the joy that led you to medicine in the first place.
Special bonus for reading to the end: enter THRIVE30 at check out and receive 30% off the all Mastery and Wellness packages..
References
– Babiker, A., El Husseini, M., Al Nemri, A., Al Frayh, A., Al Juryyan, N., Faki, M. O., Assiri, A., Al Saadi, M., Shaikh, F., & Al Zamil, F. (2014). Health care professional development: Working as a team to improve patient care. *Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, 14*(2), 9–16.
– Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: A review. *The Ochsner Journal, 10*(1), 38–43.
– Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Ommeslag, D., Van De Putte, M., Heytens, S., Deveugele, M., Janique, S., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Van Daele, U., & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: A narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. *International Journal of Clinical Practice, 69*(11), 1257-1267.
