Fostering wellness: Tips and practical advice from front line physicians

“If physicians aren’t happy, they can’t heal others” – Vivek Murthy Last year, nearly 400 physicians committed suicide, a rate higher than other professions. Our nation is facing an epidemic of overwhelmed physicians subjected to increasing external stressors. Modern medical practice has evolved into a system driven by incentives to meet care quality measure benchmarks, implement incomplete electronic systems, provide care that is satisfying to patients and more. To keep up, physicians must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to practice, but equally important, the skills to self-nurture and remain well in this changing environment. In 2015, more than

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Direct primary care physicians are trying to rescue other doctors

In a recent interview, Dr. Farzad Mostashari (former national coordinator for health IT and current CEO, Aledade ACO) gave some advice to physicians on how to avoid burnout and “restore their role as caregivers”: The key is two things. One, if you’re in a kayak in the rapids, you have to lean in and dig your paddle in and push ahead. If you lean back, you’re done. You’re going to flip over. So be more active. Don’t be passive. Take control. Step two is join together with others to increase your power, increase your control, increase your ability to have

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