In the first article of this series, we explored how systemic dysfunction, high costs and poor health outcomes fuel burnout among the people who deliver care. Nearly half of physicians still report symptoms of burnout, and the numbers are similar or worse for nurses and other front-line staff. Addressing the crisis requires redesigning the environment […]
Editor’s note: This post is the first in a three‑part series examining the burnout crisis in U.S. health care and outlining a blueprint for system transformation. Future posts will explore what providers need to thrive and how to build programs that put patients at the center while sustaining financial viability. The Burnout Crisis: Physicians, Nurses and […]
Medicine teaches us how to care for patients. We also need to learn how to care ourselves. As a pediatrician, I am trained to monitor development. At well visits, we assess growth and milestones. We ask about speech, motor development, social engagement, and cognitive progress. When something is not progressing as expected, support is provided. […]
Medicine should challenge you, not break you. It is a profession that demands rigor and sacrifice, but there’s a difference between leaning into a healthy growth edge and slipping into harmful strain. Feeling engaged, stretched and motivated to learn is invigorating. Chronic exhaustion, cynicism and detachment are signs something has gone wrong. Here’s how to […]
Medicine has always been challenging, and for many physicians, that challenge is part of the draw. It’s what gets you out of bed after a long day, to prove to yourself and others that you can do hard things and make a difference. But in 2026, working in healthcare has become more exhausting, isolating, and […]
When I first heard about coaching, I was skeptical. I’d reached a breaking point and had already tried everything else including therapy, time off, meds, and other jobs. Nothing helped. A colleague suggested coaching. I explored my options and gave it a try. At the end of my first session when my coach suggested I […]
Becoming a physician is a privilege. Few careers grant the opportunity to ease suffering, participate in people’s most vulnerable moments, and experience lifelong learning in such a concrete way. After nearly a two decades of practice, I still wake up grateful for the trust patients place in me and for the skills that allow me […]
As physicians, we spend years honing clinical skills so that we can care for patients. Yet many of us reach a point where the demands of practice feel unsustainable. Or, just as common but less frequently discussed, we are busy and bored at the same time. Burnout, charting, or a desire for new challenges can […]
Great physicians aren’t born. They are forged through experience, curiosity and the guidance of others. Many of us are prepared for clinical work but feel unprepared when thrust into leadership or mentorship roles. If you’ve ever wondered how to lead teams effectively, mentor the next generation or find a mentor for yourself, this cornerstone page […]
Physicians in academic medicine juggle competing roles: clinician, researcher, teacher and administrator. As careers evolve, many are asked to lead teams, departments or entire institutions, often with little formal preparation. Leadership coaching for doctors has emerged as a powerful tool to bridge this gap. By focusing on leadership competencies and personal well‑being, coaching helps academic […]
