Author: Dr Corrigan

Physician suicide register: More than numbers

Nearly 300 doctors a year die by suicide. That’s a million patients losing their doctors every year. Beyond the horrific numbers are the human stories. In this article, we reference a physician suicide register that collected details of our lost colleagues.

We remember the human beings — physicians, bright, dedicated, loved and loving, yet still human — who died by suicide.

Kindness for physicians

Kindness for physicians: Good for everyone

At a recent Physicians Anonymous meeting, we discussed an article on random acts of kindness. Researchers gave 84 random people in a wintry Chicago park free hot chocolates. They were then given the choice to gift it to another or keep it for themselves. Guess what happened?

Female doctor in mask Burnout in women physicians

Burnout in women physicians

Women physicians still face disproportionate challenges within their medical careers compared to men. Unsurprisingly, those women who face more work-related stressors report less satisfaction with their careers, and more burnout occurs in female doctors.

gratitude for physicians - thank you doctors

Gratitude for physicians

This blog explores the science of gratitude for physicians, how it may tackle burnout, and gives some suggestions for gratitude practice.

Physician gratitude practice

Physician gratitude practice

In a previous article, we explored the evidence base for gratitude. In this article, we illustrate 7 physician gratitude practices that may help on a level. We also note that no one intervention is a panacea for the core systemic issues causing the current epidemic of physician burnout and moral injury.

physician peer support programs

Successful physician peer support programs

If there is anything positive to come from this pandemic, it is the realization of the importance of peer support. Physician peer support programs with an emphasis on preventing burnout and growing community have are being piloted and implemented in different ways and organizations around the country.

5 steps towards post-traumatic growth for physicians

5 steps towards physician post-traumatic growth

In this article, I write about 5 steps towards physician post-traumatic growth. These are simple daily practices that may help you rebuild with precious metal holding and enhancing your imperfections.

Kintsugi object showing physicians rebuilding happier

Kintsugi: Physicians rebuilding happier

For those of us who survive the trauma of medicine, there is indeed the possibility of physicians rebuilding happier, stronger, maybe even smarter. Like a shattered vase repaired with gold running through it, post-traumatic growth for physicians is a thing.

Physician loneliness operating room

How to beat physician loneliness (Part 1)

We humans are wired for connection. Our ancestors evolved as social beings because, simply, working together as a band of humanoids increased their chances of survival and reproduction. Multiple studies have shown that collaboration engenders survival advantage. Yet physician loneliness is a real thing.