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 […]
“I love caring for patients,” I told myself. “I need to figure out how to care for myself in the process.” On paper everything looked perfect: I was preparing for promotion to full professor, my retirement fund was on track for an early exit, and my children were thriving outside the home. Yet, I was […]
Many physicians reach a point where the demands of clinical medicine no longer feel sustainable. Some doctors are burned out and want to redesign their practice, while others are curious about nonclinical roles that better align with their talents and lifestyle. When you’re standing at that crossroads, two common paths emerge: working one‑on‑one with a […]
Physician burnout isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a lived experience for many of us in medicine. After years of long hours, moral injury and relentless charting, I found myself emotionally exhausted and disconnected from the work that once brought me joy. Coaching was one of the tools that helped me reclaim a sense of purpose […]
Physician Coaching: The Missing Piece in Medical Training You’ve mastered pharmacology. Memorized anatomy. Survived residency. But somewhere between the exam rooms and electronic health records, many physicians ask themselves: “Is this it?” The truth is, while medical education rigorously prepares doctors to diagnose and treat, it rarely teaches them how to thrive. That’s where physician […]
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 don’t need a coach.” “ I’m not in trouble.” “ I am a physician. Doctors don’t need coaches.” “ I have a therapist. How can a coach help me?” Those are just a few of the comments I hear from physicians regarding coaching. My response to these comments ranges from understanding, to frustrated, […]
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 […]
