Updated April 202 Embracing Calm Amidst Global and Healthcare Turmoil Chaos is all around us. Every time I watch the news, check my phone, or look at my email, it feels like there is a new crisis and that everything could fall apart at any moment. The usual stresses of today’s world are overwhelming on […]
Beyond Finances: The Essential Soft Skills for Physician Success and Financial Security Since I began my medical training, I always assumed I would work as a physician, caring for patients in the clinical setting and never considered for a moment, that I may not be able to or want to do so for my entire […]
“I want you to try something different this week.” I sat in the chair and nodded my head in response. At this point, I’d tried therapy, medications, meditation, exercise, and taking time off. Although all of them had some degree of benefit, if I’m being honest, nothing really significantly changed how I felt. Both my […]
A Nostalgic Look at the Traditional Family Doctor During my childhood, I saw a good, old-fashioned family doctor, Dr. Wiedemeyer. Dr. Wiedemeyer worked closely with his dedicated nurse, Dolores. I clearly remember sitting in his waiting room on those sticky vinyl chairs, surrounded by dark wood-paneled walls. The air always had a sharp, clean smell […]
When Duty Calls: Conflicting Personal and Professional Values As I sat in the hospital waiting room, my mind bounced between worrying about my dad and feeling guilty about the work I was missing. My dad was undergoing a heminephrectomy, and I had taken time off to be with him and support my mom. Despite having […]
As physicians, we’re no strangers to stress. From the daily demands of our profession to the broader challenges facing our world, it can sometimes feel like we’re constantly swimming against the current. But what if I told you that the key to navigating these choppy waters lies within you? That’s right, the very qualities that […]
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 […]
When you meet someone new, how do you introduce yourself? Do you mention your job, your family, or your hobbies? What do you usually share? Many of us often highlight the concrete aspects of our lives, like our professions. This is especially true for doctors, who dedicate a lot of time, effort, and money to […]
As a physician who has experienced burnout firsthand, I know how hard it can be to find a way out. When I found myself at a crossroads, unsure whether to become a nonclinical physician or find a way to modify my current role, I started an unexpected journey of self-discovery and exploration. Through interviews for […]
I didn’t know I was burned out. Unfortunately, I didn’t even realize I wasn’t OK. Looking back, it was obvious. First, I wasn’t sleeping. Second, when I walked to work, I fantasized about disappearing. I thought, “If I keep walking, how long will it take for someone to notice that I didn’t show up to […]
