It happens in the quiet moments between patients. That subtle yet persistent voice asking, “Is this all there is?” You catch yourself staring blankly at your EHR screen, wondering how you morphed from the idealistic medical student you once were to the exhausted physician you’ve become. Secure chat alerts for the fifth time that hour, […]
Medicine is one of the most rewarding and challenging professions. With these challenges come the inevitable pressures of the job. A statement made by a client during a recent physician coaching session stuck with me: “Medicine is hard; we’re supposed to be stressed.” While there’s truth in this statement, equating stress with burnout is dangerous […]
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, […]
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 […]
As I walked home from work, I felt a mix of emotions. I went to work a little before 7:00 AM and walked out of the building well after sunset. During the time I was at work I didn’t stop. I ate lunch at my computer and read 3 times the average number of echocardiograms […]
Physician Dog Ownership: Rediscovering Balance and Values in Medicine “I have two puppies left but plan to keep one as a show dog.” As I listened to the breeder talk about her plans, I stood in the middle of a puppy pile. One puppy attached himself to my shoelaces and remained that way for my […]
What is the relationship between emotional intelligence and physician burnout? As a physician, you are no stranger to the demands and stresses of the medical profession. Long hours, high-pressure situations, and the constant need to balance patient care with administrative tasks can take a toll on even the most resilient individuals. This is where the […]
The Physician’s Calling vs. The Reality in Healthcare How are moral injury, burnout, and the Hippocratic Oath related? The white coat ceremony is a tradition in modern medical education. Early in their medical education, medical students recite a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath. This rite of passage is the symbolic start of the transformative […]
Moral Injury in Physicians In the complex, fast-paced world of healthcare, physicians face numerous challenges, from demanding work schedules to the emotional toll of patient care. Yet, one less-discussed challenge with profound implications for their well-being is the alignment (or misalignment) of personal values with those of the healthcare system, a dilemma that health care […]
Physicians face unprecedented levels of stress and burnout in today’s demanding healthcare environment. One often overlooked but crucial factor in maintaining physician wellness is the ability to take genuine, uninterrupted vacation time. However, recent studies have shown alarming trends in how physicians approach time off, with significant implications for their well-being and patient care. The […]
