As physicians, we’ve been taught that hard work and long hours are the hallmarks of a successful medical career. The relentless pursuit of productivity becomes our daily grind, often at the expense of our well-being. But is this truly the path to professional fulfillment? What if living with purpose, rather than simply pushing through the […]
As a physician and coach who has worked with hundreds of doctors, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the relentless pursuit of perfection in medicine can crush the spirits of even the most talented physicians.. Today, let’s have an honest conversation about perfectionism in medicine and why it’s time to embrace a more sustainable approach to our […]
Do you see yourself as a physician leader? You went through medical training to care for patients. Yet here you are in a position you may not have anticipated. Whether you realize it or not, as a physician, you are a leader. Every day, you’re balancing patient care, administrative headaches, and team dynamics. Feeling overwhelmed […]
The Daily Reality of Medical Practice I struggled to detach the pager from my scrub pants. It was a never-ending battle between the force of gravity, the 3 pagers clipped to the scrub pants waistband, and the pants drawstring. I didn’t have much confidence in the drawstring. I pulled the pants up with one hand, […]
Why is saying no so hard? It is a short 2, letter word that is easy to spell and pronounce yet can be remarkably hard to say. It has a clear definition but its meaning isn’t always clear. As physicians, we are dedicated to the well-being of others. Our days are filled with patient care, […]
After mentoring hundreds of students through their medical school journey, I’ve noticed a common theme. During orientation students are told, “Medical training is a long, hard road. There will be a point when you hit a wall. Take care of yourself and ask for help when you need it.” Every student in the room nods […]
It was a problem before the pandemic. “They” report is it better. For those of us on the front lines, physician burnout is not better. We are just tired of talking about it. Recent studies indicate that nearly 50% of physicians in the United States experience symptoms of burnout, leading to decreased job satisfaction, reduced […]
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 […]
The Hidden Emotional Cost of Being a Doctor: When Personal and Professional Grief Collide I thought I was prepared. As a pediatric cardiologist, I navigate grief and loss regularly, helping families through their darkest moments. But when I said goodbye to my beloved dog Stanzi recently, I discovered that all my professional experience hadn’t prepared […]
Every physician has experienced the following situation at least once. Something happens that is beyond our control – a scheduling error, a prior authorization denial, an angry patient at the front desk – and the proposed solution is: “I’ll talk to the doctor.” Suddenly, it is your job to solve a problem you didn’t create. […]
