Post Author: Kathy Stepien, MD

Physician wellness at the personal, institutional, and cultural levels

Physician
November 15, 2017

Do you know we have record rates of physician burnout, dissatisfaction, and suicide? Ongoing shortages in primary care, without improvement in sight? Physicians exiting medicine earlier  than in the past?

What about burnout? Do you know it affects patients as well as their doctors? Affects physicians’ families and friends? Increases mistakes and malpractice risk? Affects patient adherence and outcomes? Is costly to the entire system?

How do we start to fix this? …

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Your daughter is going to medical school. Please don’t worry.

Education
July 3, 2016

Dear parents,

Congratulations on your daughter’s acceptance into medical school.  Like the first day of kindergarten, this launch is notable for parents as well as children.

You may have some concerns about the stresses she will face. Having been there, I can tell you there will be many.  Not to worry, though. Times are changing.  You daughter is free to learn among the brightest of the bright while avoiding problems women before …

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They played Taps at my father’s funeral. They played it beautifully.

Physician
June 22, 2016

They played Taps at my dad’s funeral. Two teenagers on trumpets. First, the girl, positioned to the back and left of the crowd. Ta-ta-dah, she starts boldly, without the unease of her youth. Each simple note pierces the dry winter air.

Yes, you have our attention. Not another sound. Not even a breath by gathered friends and family.

In time, the second musician’s reply from the front. Ta-da-dah. And a pause. Their …

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Living the oath requires physicians to set boundaries

Physician
June 10, 2016

“I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity.”  Standing with my medical school colleagues, we continue: “I will respect and hold the secrets that are confided in me. I will exercise moral integrity.”

I easily agree. But then, “The health of my patient will be my first consideration.”  I’m 40 weeks pregnant, with swollen feet and raging heartburn. My baby kicks wildly. With certainty, I know that …

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What this physician learned from the starfish story

Physician
April 27, 2016

I thought about the rather corny starfish story when I was driving home after clinic today. You know the one. It goes something like this:

A man was walking along a deserted beach at sunset. As he walked, he could see a young boy in the distance. As he drew nearer, he noticed that the boy kept bending down, picking something up and throwing it into the water. Time and again …

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A 10-step guide to clinician burnout

Physician
April 21, 2016

1. Quit taking care of yourself. There is no upper limit to the needs of patients. There is always more medicine to learn and do. Add to this the needs of children, aging parents and a partner — your time for yourself quickly becomes zero. Want to get burned out quickly? Quit exercising. Eat on the run. Have disrupted sleep. Don’t set professional boundaries. Miss enough first steps, parent’s medical …

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You signed up to be a doctor, not a martyr

Patient
April 6, 2016

Dear doctor,

I need you to be healthy. When I come to you for help, I need your “A” game. I need you sleep enough. Eat healthy food. Not too much. Mostly vegetables. I need you to exercise regularly and take time to take care of your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs. I need to you use the bathroom when you need to. I need you to stop and take …

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