When I experienced burnout as a young primary care physician, I thought it was my fault. Actually, I didn’t know it was burnout; I’d never heard the word. But I believed whatever was causing the deep exhaustion, lack of empathy, and feelings of uselessness were surely due to a flaw or weakness in me.

Eventually, I stumbled across the definition of professional burnout. I was so curious to understand what had happened to me that I co-authored a book on the topic: Preventing Physician Burnout.

In our 15 months of research, my co-author, Paul DeChant, and I heard over and over again that physician burnout is driven by system issues: problems like lack of resources, understaffing, inefficient work processes, and the burden associated with documentation in the electronic health record.

I was fully invested in believing that healthcare organizations and the larger US healthcare system were solely responsible. What a relief to learn it wasn’t me.

I started advocating for system change through writing articles and speaking at conferences. Turns out, the problems are much more complicated and interwoven than you’d think. And change at this level takes time and is really hard.

Then, I learned of a successful physician burnout prevention program that acknowledged the system issues that doctors face and guided physicians to take the steps to improve their own well-being. When a critical mass had completed the program, it began to improve the whole health system.

Today, I believe that taming the physician burnout epidemic calls for a “both-and” solution.

We absolutely need to advocate for system change at the national, state, and organizational levels. (Get some ideas from my podcast, Vital Signs: Thriving as a Woman in Medicine.) At the same time, my clients have proven to me time and again the immense power of micro changes. 

By making small, strategic changes one at a time they recover from burnout, rekindle passion for their work, and build sustainable careers, while having a life outside of medicine. They have the bandwidth to advocate effectively for system change, take on leadership roles with decision-making power, and model for others what a thriving professional life looks like.

Whose fault is physician burnout?

Perhaps finding fault is not so important. What is important is having the courage to do what you can where you can, starting with your own well-being.

If this resonates, the first step is a conversation.

Message me here or schedule a complimentary Breakthrough Call to explore your next steps together.