Erin McBride Johnson MD’s Post

I coached several physicians in the last month who are drowning in shitty jobs. There were more similarities than differences. What can I do instead of medicine? I need to get out but don’t know the next best step. I want to start a business but it’s overwhelming. I’ve been dreaming of having my own DPC practice but that feels impossible. But what almost every single one of them needed was rest. They either felt unworthy of rest or it didn’t occur to them to address their exhaustion. It’s scary as hell to take time off to “just rest” but our lives depend on it. Suicidal ideation and attempt increases when an exhausted human is unable to envision a future in which there are less mental/emotional demands. That is medicine for most of us. Talking with other physicians helps. Getting permission (that you don’t really need) from a supportive peer helps too. There’s free coaching available inside the Rebel Physician community, along with dozens of other resources. Join at www.RebelPhysician.com

Silence in medicine has many root causes. Silence comes from fear and the lack of psychological safety. Silence comes from the loss of autonomy. Silence comes with the golden handcuffs. Eventually, complacency brings about silence. Moral injury strains your voice. Broken hearts become weary. The sycophants are silent and want you silent, too. Yet, I hear from the silent often. I listen to their stories of pain, strife, and deep disappointment. The stories are all the same. Their silence is exit strategy planning. Most are leaving clinical medicine in its entirety. Some things never change. Hospitals are struggling to recruit and retain physicians. If we expect high engagement between physicians and patients, we must authentically provide the same relationship with leadership. Medicine is relational and built on a foundation of trust and respect. The transactional nature of medicine in the fee-for-service reimbursement model has robbed many of their human identity. When we feel ourselves losing our souls, we leave. You matter. ❤️ #moralinjury #compassion #empathy #medicine #gratitude #healthcareonlinkedin #988lifeline

Working in our local ED (“ER” in other countries) was so, so busy this week. As I finished, I stood there, bike lock in hand, wondering why and how I'm still in this game of medicine after all this time and how come I'm actually happy and fulfilled? The full set of answers are too long for a post but a few are: ⭐️Make space for other passions. ⭐️Make space to talk to your colleagues. ⭐️Approach patients with a philosophy of compassion, respect and bearing witness to their lives, not as people needing to be fixed. ⭐️Seek support when things are tough: your peers, colleagues, Practitioner Health, or coaching. What is keeping you in medicine? #medicine #doctors #emergencymedicine

Your roadmap to success in medicine starts here. Trust AdvayaNEET Counselling to guide you every step of the way! 🌟🩺 #MedicalCareer #NEETExperts #MedicalAspirations #NEETSupport #NEETGuidance #ExpertCounselors #NEETPrep #ConfidentAspirants

Medical providers often find ourselves caring for everyone around us, driven by our deep desire to help others. This can lead to providers taking on the emotional burdens of others as their own. While helping others is a noble trait, it's crucial to ask ourselves: are we grounded? Do we truly know who we are on a deep, visceral level? Understanding ourselves is essential. It helps us distinguish between our emotions and those of others. Without this self-awareness, we risk becoming emotional sponges, absorbing the feelings of those around us. At Rx for The Business of Medicine, we encourage all medical providers to invest time in self-reflection. Know what is yours and what isn't. This clarity will not only improve our well-being but also enhance our ability to care for others effectively. #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness #MedicalProfessionals #Codependency #Wellbeing

We are lucky to have the wise and powerful Stacia Dearmin, MD on the pod to discuss adverse outcomes, medical errors, and litigation. Dr Dearmin is a paediatrician, speaker, coach, and a doctor who had her own experience with an unexpected patient death and malpractice litigation. Dr Dearmin turned this harrowing experience into Thrive, a coaching and speaking business aimed at helping doctors learn how to thrive after litigation and poor outcomes. Takeaways - Stacia's journey from a traumatic patient outcome to starting Thrive - The impact of adverse patient outcomes on a physician's perspective - The importance of teamwork and support in the medical profession - Coping with adverse events in medicine requires self-care, support, and understanding from colleagues - The experience of medical training should emphasise the importance of compassion and humanity in the practice of medicine Listen to the full episode on anchor.fm/balancedmedics or via the link in bio. #wellbeing #doctorshealth #doctorsmentalhealth #thrive

In my experience as a functional medicine practitioner, the most successful patients are those who prioritize honesty throughout their healing journey. Transparency in communication establishes a strong foundation for our relationship, allowing for a deeper understanding of their health challenges and lifestyle choices. When patients share their experiences openly, it enables me to tailor treatment plans that truly resonate with their needs. This collaboration fosters trust and empowers individuals to take an active role in their healing process. Every detail matters—from dietary habits to emotional well-being—so the willingness to discuss even the difficult topics can lead to breakthroughs in our work together. Ultimately, it’s this authentic partnership that cultivates lasting results and promotes overall wellness. Commitment to this honest dialogue is essential for achieving optimal outcomes in functional medicine. Together, we embark on a transformative journey towards better health when transparency is prioritized. Aleksander Kanevsky, DC, CFMP

Work fatigue and distress effects most of us from time to time. This article discusses health care provider 'moral injury' as distress felt by providers 'when they cant give patients needed care'. #moralinjury #healthcare #distress #joy #medicalcare #helpless #bioethics "In a 2022 radio interview, Terry Gross asked editor Robert Gottlieb about working on Joseph Heller’s novel Catch-22, which introduced the term “Catch-22” into the lexicon. (5) Asked what it’s like to have contributed to an enduring change in language, Gottlieb responds: “When a word comes into existence like that” and is “used and used and used…the reason is always that we need that word.” Likening the ascendance of “Catch-22” to that of “Kafkaesque” (which is often invoked to describe dystopian workplaces), Gottlieb says, “It expresses something for people that there was no word for before.” “Moral injury” seems to fulfill such a need in medicine. By encapsulating the distress physicians feel when they can’t give patients needed care, it names our pain. By acknowledging how the profit motive compromises care and exploits clinicians’ goodwill, it identifies a cause. And by implicitly saying, “It’s not your fault,” it soothes our wounds. But if the resonance of “moral injury” lies in its recognition of the systemic factors destroying individuals, it can’t tell us how individuals can help improve the system."

“Harry, you should focus solely on medicine…” Something that I’ve heard countless times… As physicians, many of us have type-A personalities and are high achievers: We go the extra mile for our patients. We engage in different projects and aim to join committees. We are the first to arrive and the last ones to leave the hospital. The system or health network doesn’t help? We will work even harder to make things work. Which is great and commendable. But sometimes, that is too much, and it takes a toll on even the most focused and hardworking physician. The result? Many doctors show signs of burnout and dissatisfaction with medicine. We need someone to remind us of the most important things in our life, of course → medicine → but MORE importantly… Our interests outside medicine, Our family and friends, Our mind and health. It is awesome to get recognition as a physician or medical professional but remember: It’s even better to be A GOOD son/daughter, husband/wife, dad/mom, friend…. And feel good about it. At the end of the day, these are the people who love you and will be with you for the rest of your life. Question: When was the last time you created a memory for life with your family? Let me know that in the comments 👇