You are a new attending physician! Congratulations! You made it through one of the most transformative education and professional training experiences that exists. Are you ready for what comes next? Medical training is like running a marathon. Equal parts grueling, consuming, relentless, and rewarding. Every step forward often comes at a personal cost. As a […]
I still remember the day he walked into my office. His white coat hung off his shoulders. He was thin, pale, and broken. Sitting down across from me, he stared at the floor and said, “I want to leave surgery. My program director told me to talk with you. She thought pediatric cardiology might be […]
The Hidden Cost of Physician Burnout and The Need For Physician Burnout Prevention Strategies Are you feeling trapped in the relentless cycle of physician burnout? As a doctor who’s spent two decades in medicine, I’ve witnessed countless colleagues struggle with the same challenges you’re facing right now. The constant pressure, endless documentation, and emotional toll […]
Recent studies paint a compelling picture: half of physicians report experiencing burnout, with poor doctor-patient communication cited as a significant contributor. Yet, research published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine shows that effective communication can reduce burnout by up to 40% while improving patient outcomes by 30% Being a doctor is more than diagnosing […]
Physician Autonomy and Burnout The irony is profound. The very people who dedicate their lives to healing others are breaking under the weight of a healthcare system that often seems designed to minimize autonomy and crush the human spirit. The evidence is overwhelming: Physician burnout has reached epidemic proportions, with nearly 60% of doctors reporting […]
You’ve spent years training to become a doctor. You are driven by a passion to help others, challenge yourself, and build a meaningful career. But what happens when clinical practice no longer feels like the right fit? If you’re feeling burned out, stuck, or questioning your future in medicine, there’s good news: your medical expertise […]
Being a physician is one of the most fulfilling and exhausting careers one can pursue. Most of us embraced the challenges throughout training and anticipated we would be able to handle the pressure. But what happens when it become too much? I’ve been there: as a pediatric cardiologist, I once stood at the edge of […]
So You’ve Made It—Now What? A Real-World Guide for First-Year Attendings The Dream Job Feels… Heavy The white coat fits. Your name badge finally says “doctor.” And yet—there’s this unexpected weight. Not from the hours (you’ve done worse), and not from imposter syndrome (you made it). It’s something else. You’re in the middle of […]
The Unexpected Teacher: An 8-Pound Lesson in Joy Kittle, a feisty Tibetan terrier-poodle mix named after former Iowa Hawkeye and current San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, arrived weighing just eight pounds. What started as a simple decision to fill the emptiness left by our beloved dogs, Stanzi and Moe, became an unexpected journey […]
Have you ever left a multidisciplinary team meeting feeling unheard, frustrated, and convinced that no progress was made? If so, you’re not alone. Many healthcare professionals face challenges when it comes to communicating effectively with colleagues. While 89% of physicians excel at patient communication, only 34% feel confident communicating with their peers. This gap in […]
