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addicted to medicine

Addicted to medicine?

Are physicians addicted to medicine? in this article I will argue that medicine can be so intoxicating, even if it’s bad for us, that doctors can become addicted to it. Before too long, a medical life becomes a way of life until we don’t know any different.

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normalize physician mental health

A charter to normalize physician mental health

Imagine a world where no doctor needed to fear sanctions or discrimination for struggling mentally, particularly when the modern practice of medicine is so fraught with conditions causing moral distress. Here’s how to normalize physician mental health.

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Just keep swimming

Just keep swimming

In part two of his series, Dr. Chad Lennon explores recovering from burnout, processing grief, and shifting focus from clinical perfection to human connection.

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second victim syndrome

“Second victim” trauma in medicine

When things go wrong, it is easy to focus only on the “first victim” and forget those around them affected by the error – especially the clinician who made a mistake, also known as the “second victim” in medicine.

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addicted to medicine

Addicted to medicine?

Are physicians addicted to medicine? in this article I will argue that medicine can be so intoxicating, even if it’s bad for us, that doctors can become addicted to it. Before too long, a medical life becomes a way of life until we don’t know any different.

Read More »
normalize physician mental health

A charter to normalize physician mental health

Imagine a world where no doctor needed to fear sanctions or discrimination for struggling mentally, particularly when the modern practice of medicine is so fraught with conditions causing moral distress. Here’s how to normalize physician mental health.

Read More »
Just keep swimming

Just keep swimming

In part two of his series, Dr. Chad Lennon explores recovering from burnout, processing grief, and shifting focus from clinical perfection to human connection.

Read More »
second victim syndrome

“Second victim” trauma in medicine

When things go wrong, it is easy to focus only on the “first victim” and forget those around them affected by the error – especially the clinician who made a mistake, also known as the “second victim” in medicine.

Read More »
physicians seek help

Why don’t physicians seek help?

Physicians are sick, and it’s getting worse. Yet too few doctors seek help or reach out when we are struggling. Record numbers of us are burning out, becoming mentally ill or addicted, retiring early, and leaving medicine.

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Physician-burnout-medical-error

Physician burnout and medical error

Emerging evidence supports an increasingly robust link between physician burnout and medical error. This article explores the evidence between physician burnout and medical error, and the impact on patients.

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Overcoming Physician Impostor Syndrome

Overcoming physician impostor syndrome

As we’ve discussed in Part I, Impostor syndrome is highly prevalent and has multiple causes. Furthermore, it can have a range of negative effects on physicians, from decreased job satisfaction and confidence to missed diagnoses and poor patient outcomes. In this article we look at the impact of impostor syndrome on physicians and patients. We then explore 5 steps in overcoming physician impostor syndrome.

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Peer support for physician burnout

Peer support for physician burnout

There has never been a more urgent need to combat, or ideally prevent, physician burnout, mental illness, and suicide. In this article, we explore a number of peer support programs and summarize the key elements required to develop safe and supportive spaces for the unique needs of physicians at risk of burning out.

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Trauma hospital ER

The trauma of medicine

The life of a physician is one of the most stressful professions. In this article, I’ll discuss the trauma of medicine and what can be done about it.

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Stressed doctor I'm fine

I am FINE*

Depending on which brand of English you speak, fine might be “awesome”, “doing great”, or “things could not be better”.
Often, however, “I’m fine” is just a throwaway term without meaning. If you are a physician, there’s a >6 in 10 chance you are NOT fine. Read on to find out more.

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