How to Get Started as a Medical Writer: Writing for Patients and the Public

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on Doximity.com, where I was an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023.

Since 2009, I’ve written about health and medicine for the public. I’ve authored four books for lay readers and contribute regularly to GoodRx’s patient education website. My work has received national recognition, and along the way, I’ve learned a great deal about the craft of writing, the business of publishing, and what it takes to build a presence in the popular press.

To be clear, the term “medical writing” covers a wide range of genres. This article is for physicians who want to write evidence-based health books and articles for the general public, including patients, readers, and consumers seeking clear, accurate, and trustworthy medical information. While physicians pursuing other writing paths may recognize common themes, my focus here is specifically on public-facing health communication.

Other forms of medical writing that I’m not covering in this article include:

• Pharmaceutical or regulatory writing

• CME or corporate medical communications

• Grant writing

• Creative writing, memoir, or fiction

While strong writing skills are crucial no matter which path you’re on, these other forms of writing follow different conventions and often require distinct training, structures, and professional goals.

A Dose of Reality

Before diving in, I think it’s important to set expectations. Writing for the public can be meaningful and professionally enriching, but unless you already have a significant platform, it rarely becomes a major source of income.

That’s not meant to discourage you. Writing is a deeply rewarding way to clarify your position, share information, and get in front of a larger audience than you might otherwise find. You’re likely to meet a whole world of interesting people, including editors, publishers, and fellow authors. And perhaps most importantly, medical writing is a great opportunity deepen your own knowledge base.

In this article, I’ll share my own journey as a medical writer, including my pitfalls and successes. I’ll also offer suggestions that may make your own process easier and more rewarding.

My Path Into Medical Writing

Like many physicians, I had written journal articles and delivered lectures for many years. As a woman in cardiology beginning in the early 1990s, I was often invited to speak about women and heart disease. Over time, I became comfortable translating complex research into conversational language.

That skill became the foundation for my first book, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Heart Health, published in 2009. I’ll be honest. This was not a quick or easy process. It took me several years, carving out 30 minutes here and there to work on my project, but the knowledge I accumulated made me a better physician and communicator.

My book began as a way to address my patients’ questions about diet, supplements, exercise, stress, and other issues that impact cardiovascular health. My training had prepared me very well to take care of critically ill patients, and to competently manage preventive medical care, but like many physicians, I had a very shallow understanding of the impact of diet and lifestyle, and I knew virtually nothing about supplements. These were the questions that my patients kept bringing to me, and I wasn’t comfortable simply addressing their concerns superficially.

The Financial Realities of Writing for the Public

My first book was published through an independent press. I paid for editorial services and marketing support. Although I was proud of the result, and my patients and private group practice loved it, I never recouped my financial investment.

Two years later, I decided to take a shot at getting a contract with a traditional publishing house. This time, I received an advance, and the book, Best Practices for a Healthy Heart: How to Stop Heart Disease Before or After it Starts, was published in 2011. Just a few months after I signed the contract with the publisher, my practice was acquired by a large healthcare organization.

That experience taught me another important lesson: traditional publishers expect authors to take an active role in marketing their own work. At the same time, physicians employed by hospital systems or academic institutions may face significant restrictions on outside promotion. This second unanticipated and unfortunately timed issue proved to be a serious barrier for me.

I had assumed my book would be viewed as an opportunity to elevate the practice within the new healthcare system, but instead, I discovered that my ability to promote it was quite limited by the organization’s bylaws, which prohibited outside work. It’s a detail that you might not expect, but one that deserves careful consideration before signing a contract.

Based on my experience, I suggest that before signing any publishing contract, you should understand:

• Marketing expectations

• Rights and royalties

• Institutional policies where you work, or where you intend to seek employment

• Platform requirements

Nevertheless, having now created a body of work as a medical writer, in 2014 I was asked to co-author The DASH Diet for Dummies with two well-known dietitians. My co-authors were happy to take on the bulk of the promotional work. That book is now selling steadily in its second edition, and a third edition is on the way.

Financially? Writing has not dramatically changed my bottom line. But professionally it has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined.

What Medical Writing Can Do For You

Writing health-focused articles and books for the public can:

• Deepen your expertise

• Sharpen your communication skills

• Build your professional credibility

• Expand your professional opportunities

• Amplify your voice beyond the walls of your clinic

Over time, consistent writing also shapes your professional identity. You may begin simply as “a physician who writes.” But gradually, you’ll become a translator of evidence, a trusted voice, or an educator whose reach extends far beyond the exam room.

Writing connects you with editors, journalists, and thoughtful readers who may broaden your perspective and challenge your thinking. For me, those relationships have been one of the most meaningful rewards of the process.

Practical Steps to Get Started

If you’re a physician wondering how to begin writing health content for patients or the public, here are practical steps.

Start small

Create a one-page patient handout. Write a 600-word article answering a common clinical question. Draft a short educational series.

You don’t need to tackle a book to begin. Small projects will help you test whether you actually enjoy writing.

Write in plain language

Academic tone does not translate well to consumer health writing. Instead, write the way you speak to a thoughtful patient:

• Short sentences

• Clear explanations

• Concrete examples

• Minimal jargon

You won’t get extra points for sounding erudite. One rule of thumb that I have learned in my work as a freelance writer is to write for a 6th to 7th grade reading level.

Start a Blog or Build a Portfolio

You don’t need a complicated website. Even a simple blog updated monthly is enough to:

• Build consistency

• Create writing samples

• Clarify your niche

• Demonstrate credibility to editors

Consistency matters more than frequency, especially if you’re hoping to gain traction with internet search engines.

Reach out to editors and newsletters

Once you’ve written a few pieces and have your bearings:

• Pitch local newspapers or magazines with commentary on new research or healthcare issues

• Write short LinkedIn posts about emerging topics

• Search for consumer health writing opportunities like Connectively, where journalists are often looking for quotes

• Check out physician job boards for freelance writing postings

• Sign up for speaking engagements for public groups in your area

Understand the importance of platform

Traditional publishers place significant weight on what they call “platform,” a term that reflects your ability to reach and engage an audience.

Platform may include:

• Email subscribers

• Social media following

• Speaking engagements

• Media appearances

This is not about gimmicks or self-promotion. Those might get attention, but you’ll undermine your credibility. Instead, think about how you might create authenticity and inspire trust. Publishers want evidence that readers are already paying attention. If you hope to pursue traditional publishing, begin building your platform early and intentionally.

Consider an e-book

Writing a book is a major commitment, but you don’t have to have a contract to get started. Self-publishing has made it easier than ever to share your expertise, and it can be an excellent entry point.

But quality still matters. If you want your work to reflect your professionalism and your expertise, invest in skilled editing. There’s no substitute for a second set of expert eyes.

Find an agent

Having gone through the process of traditional publishing several times, I can tell you that writing a book is not for the faint of heart. The hours you put into it may never be compensated. But there is nothing like the feeling of your own book in your hands. If you are really intent on working with a traditional publisher, you will need a literary agent. Resources such as Publisher’s Marketplace and Writer’s Market can help you drill down your options.

A Word About Medical Writing for Industry

If your goal is full-time employment as a medical writer—working in pharma, regulatory affairs, or corporate communications—that is a different path entirely.

It often requires:

• Formal medical writing training

• Knowledge of regulatory standards

• Familiarity with submission processes

• Structured collaboration with cross-functional teams

The American Medical Writers Association can be a great place to get started. They have resources, communities, and job posts that can be valuable for people who are seeking to expand their scope of writing.

Conclusion

You likely won’t get rich writing health books or articles for the public.

But you may:

• Become a clearer thinker

• Develop a recognizable voice

• Build influence beyond your clinic

• Create unexpected professional opportunities

• Deepen your own understanding of medicine, healthcare, and the people you care for

Writing is an act of service. It is also an act of intellectual discipline.

If you feel drawn to begin, start small. One page. One article. One idea clearly expressed. You may be surprised where it will lead.

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DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you. And if you’re interested in learning more about my coaching program, you can schedule an introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

How to Begin a Meditation Practice: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

As a cardiologist, a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and a yoga teacher, I’ve been fortunate to learn from a diverse group of mentors, ranging from world leaders in cardiology to a former Buddhist monk.

I learned about the power of meditation early on in my professional life and found that the presence and equanimity it cultivated inspired both my medical practice and my life outside of medicine.

More recently I have had the privilege of participating in the Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) program, originally developed for surgeons. This evidence-based and academically rigorous program was developed through the Department of Surgery at University of California San Francisco and continues to expand.

ESRT integrates mindfulness-based skills such as metacognition, emotional regulation and interoception for surgeons and other clinicians working in environments defined by high stakes, intense pressure, and constant expectations. Meditation is a key aspect of this program.

If meditation sounds a little too nebulous, out-there, or maybe even intimidating, it can help to remember that meditation is something that many of our key thought leaders practice on a daily basis. It’s not a passing trend or a fad. Mindfulness meditation has been part of modern healthcare since the 1970s, when molecular biologist Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.  founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Meditation is not just about feeling calm. It can strengthen core clinical skills, improving your ability to focus on details and regulate emotions under stress. It may also improve your sleep quality and even contribute to better cardiovascular health.

Meditation is for all of us. You don’t need a guru or even a class. In this article, I’m sharing some simple ways that you can get started with meditation.

Start Small

Begin with just 3-5 minutes of meditation each day. Even brief practices can be surprisingly beneficial when practiced regularly. If a few minutes feels manageable, you can experiment with a 10-minute session and see how that feels.

Some people prefer longer meditations, but it’s good to know that when scientists compared 10-minute to 20-minute sessions, there was very little difference in overall mindfulness measures. Consistency matters far more than duration.

Use Guided Meditations

If you're new to meditation, guided practices can be very helpful. They provide structure, direction, and reassurance—particularly when your mind feels busy or skeptical.

Many excellent apps and online platforms offer free or low-cost sessions tailored to different needs and preferences. Some good options are Head Space, Waking Up, Insight Timer, and Calm.

Find a Quiet Space

It’s hard to meditate when there are too many external stimuli, especially when you are just starting. Although you can learn to meditate anywhere, begin by choosing a quiet, comfortable place where you are unlikely to be disturbed. If you can close a door and put your phone in do-not-disturb mode, so much the better.

Eventually you’ll be able to incorporate this sense of focus and ease into your daily life wherever you happen to find yourself.

Focus on Your Breath

One of the simplest ways to begin meditating is by focusing on the breath. Close your eyes and take slow, steady breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

There are many ways to work with the breath, but there’s no need to overthink it. Settle into a rhythm that feels natural. By gently returning your attention to the physical sensation of breathing, you give your mind a stable anchor.

Go for a Walk

Walking meditation is an ancient and well-established mindfulness practice.  Rather than using the breath as your anchor, you bring purposeful attention to the sensation of your feet meeting the ground.

Traditionally, walking meditation is slow and contemplative, often practiced back and forth along a short path. It’s not about getting somewhere. It can be done in the space of your living room, but there’s no reason you couldn’t use your walk from the parking lot to the hospital or office as a walking meditation.

Many meditation apps include guided walking practices. And while traditional walking meditation isn’t fast, some runners find that rhythmic, attentive running becomes meditative when they focus fully on each stride.

Be Consistent

Like anything else, getting started with meditation is a habit to be cultivated. Since briefer meditations of 5-10 minutes can be highly effective, let go of the idea that longer is better.  

You might start with a goal of three or four five-minute sessions per week and see how that feels. If you don’t notice an immediate shift, don’t be discouraged. Research suggests that eight weeks, but not four, of daily meditation can lead to measurable improvements in mood, attention, and fatigue.

Listen to Your Inner Wisdom

It’s important to know that meditation isn’t right for everyone. For instance, although many people with anxiety find meditation helpful, others may notice increased anxiety or a sense of disconnection, particularly with practices that last for more than 30 minutes.

If meditation is not right for you right now, you may find that simply taking a mindful pause can create a meaningful difference in a hectic day.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

My Podcast Interview on Burnout and Misalignment with James Nutter on A Life Well Lived

I had another fascinating conversation with James Nutter of IM Wealth on his podcast A Life Well Lived: A Physician's Guide to Wealth. In this episode, we focused on the ways that living out of alignment with your personal values can lead to burnout, disappointment, and disengagement.

Giving name to your values is powerful, because it breathes life into them. This acknowledgement of who you are and what you stand for can give you the insight you need to create a life that feels purposeful and personally fulfilling. And naming values that you share with your spouse or loved ones can also help to connect you more deeply to the life you are living together now and the shared future you are dreaming of.

In this episode we discuss:

🔥 Why burnout is not a personal failure

🔥 How chronic misalignment shows up as anxiety, fatigue, cynicism, or numbness

🔥 Why achieving impressive goals can still feel empty

🔥 The importance of clarifying personal values before setting career goals

🔥 How a personal mission statement can act as a decision-making filter during hard seasons

🔥 Practical ways physicians can advocate for healthier systems without burning bridges

Rather than beginning with a run for the exit from clinical practice when your values don’t line up with your organization, we discuss how you can start with building alignment, optionality, and agency. We explore how small but intentional systems — both personal and organizational — can reduce burnout at its source and restore a sense of meaning and coherence to your life. And we look at ways that you can design calculated shifts that over time will help you to create a sustainable and joyful life.

If you are feeling trapped, exhausted, or uncertain about your next step, this episode offers both validation and direction. Burnout is not proof that you are broken. Often, it is information which, when understood clearly, can become a catalyst for wiser, more aligned change.

Besides being an inspiring podcast host, James specializes in holistic financial guidance for physicians. I don’t formally endorse specific services or financial advisors, but I value his empathetic perspective and his insight into the unique challenges that physicians face.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below.

How to Manage Interruptions and Limit Attention Residue: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

It’s not just your imagination. It really is more challenging than ever to maintain your mental focus at work.

💉 EHR alerts

💉 Phone notifications

💉 Interruptions from staff

💉 Attention sapping apps

💉 Email

All of these and more conspire to make staying focused a daily struggle for many physicians, regardless of specialty.

Repeated interruptions and the lingering effects of shifting attention, known as attention residue, can severely hamper not only your effectiveness and productivity, but also your personal well-being.

Resolving the current state of disorder in healthcare will require systemic change, including a fundamental shift in the functionality of many EHRs. But protecting your headspace now is a critical skill that can help you stay above the fray.

In this article, we’ll explore strategies that you can use to retake control of your mental focus, manage interruptions, and minimize attention residue in your daily life and practice.

Understanding Attention Residue

Attention residue happens when you switch tasks, but a part of your mind remains stuck on the previous task.

The little breadcrumbs that remain can jumble up your thoughts and make it harder to focus. And once you’re interrupted, no matter whether the issue was urgent or trivial, it’s easy to drift over into another unrelated brain drain, such as checking your email or social media, rather than returning to the task at hand.

Realistically, interruptions have always been part of life in most medical settings. But the challenge has intensified due to

💉 EHR systems that promise constant accessibility

💉 Increasing patient complexity

💉 Expanding administrative burdens

💉 Widespread staff reductions

💉 Growing supervisory responsibilities for non-physician staff

Except for the small but growing number of forward-thinking healthcare systems, the current environment is a near-perfect recipe for attention residue.

With every interruption, you are forced to take a mental reset, which costs time, effort, and focus. Ultimately the outcome is not only decreased productivity but also greater stress and higher rates of burnout.

This isn’t just theoretical. Studies show that interruptions from a broad range of sources may happen more than every 6 minutes in busy medical environments like the Emergency Department. It’s no surprise that these repeated interruptions can seriously degrade your ability to remain focused and aware.

How to Reclaim Your Mental Focus

Ideally, healthcare leaders will recognize the need for systems and workflows that reduce unnecessary interruptions. Some organizations are already making meaningful progress in this area. But even under the best of circumstances, interruptions are going to happen. Here are a few ways that you can limit the mental drain.

Prioritize and Plan

This can be a difficult step for physicians, since we don’t always have control over the way the day might go. But simply outlining your top priorities can help by giving you a focus and a “north star” for the day.

Start by outlining your top priorities. Whenever possible, focus on these high-impact tasks when your mental energy is at its peak. For many people, that is the first thing in the morning.

Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix (also known as the Time-Priority Matrix) to strategize your urgent and important tasks, and mitigate those less important time-wasters.

Time Blocking

Consider setting aside specific time blocks for different types of tasks. For example, set aside uninterrupted time to study for your boards, or for administrative work. If you have some control over your schedule at work, scheduling similar patient visits can be helpful, so that your mental flow is less likely to be interrupted.

Communicate your schedule and your plan to create these focused blocks of time to your team (or your family) to minimize unnecessary interruptions. Getting buy-in from your schedulers and administrative staff can help to make time blocking work for you.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is more than a catch-phrase. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can sharpen your ability to focus and help regulate stress. These are tools that can help you to strengthen your cognitive resilience in the face of a demanding clinical environment.

Meditation in particular has been found to be helpful in improving attention, focus, and memory and reducing stress. Just like medication or physical therapy, consistency matters. In one study, it took 8 weeks of regular practice before the impact of meditation was clear.

Taking a mindful pause before and after each patient, study, or procedure is a great way to mentally reset. In many cases, even this very  brief break can improve your efficiency and help you to regain a sense of control.

Limit Multitasking

Multitasking was once considered a badge of honor, and something to aspire to. But now we know that when people multitask, they often make more mistakes.

Research shows that multitasking also leads to longer completion times and greater mental fatigue. This is especially true when both (or more) tasks require cognitive effort rather than simple rote actions. In reality, tackling one task at a time is usually faster and far more effective.

So what’s the alternative? When you're faced with a task that’s too large to complete in a single sitting, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Each sub-task becomes its own achievable goal, which can help reduce overwhelm and maintain your momentum. Writing these steps out and checking them off as you go can boost motivation and give you a sense of progress, even during busy or fragmented days.

As you knock out these smaller to-dos, you’ll build a sense of accomplishment. That feeling of progress can help quiet the mental clutter and reduce the attention residue that builds up when unfinished work lingers in the background.

Set Boundaries

Not only are they annoying, but interruptions increase the likelihood of errors, directly impacting patient safety. What’s more, these unwanted intrusions also impact your own mental well-being and your relationships by triggering heightened levels of anxiety and annoyance. That’s why setting boundaries is a crucial skill.

Whenever possible, set clear boundaries around your availability with colleagues, staff, and patients. Visual cues such as a closed door or a sign that reads “Do Not Disturb Unless Urgent” can signal your need for focused time without seeming unapproachable. And if you’re in the operating room or in a procedure, be sure that the parameters for interruptions are very clear.

When you're engaged in cognitively demanding work like surgery or a procedure, reviewing charts, developing treatment plans, or reading studies, it’s a good idea to minimize social or nonessential conversation. Let your colleagues know when you're in a focused work mode so they understand that any delay in response is intentional, not personal. Over time, this kind of clear communication builds mutual respect and helps foster a team culture that supports protected time for high-concentration tasks.

It can also be helpful to set expectations with patients and staff that non-urgent in-box messages will only be addressed during or after certain hours of the day.

Reclaiming Your Focus

Maintaining mental focus requires practical, intentional strategies and consistent follow-through. By experimenting with the time-tested approaches I’ve offered above, you’ll strengthen your ability to concentrate, reduce attention residue, and better manage the inevitable interruptions in your day.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to learn more about my coaching practice, you can schedule a complimentary introductory meeting by clicking the link below.

My TechLink Health Podcast Interview with Oscar-Winning Inventor Garrett Brown

It was such a privilege to interview Oscar winner and innovator Garrett Brown for the TechLink Health podcast! Garrett is best known as the inventor of the Steadicam, which transformed film production, and the SkyCam, which forever changed how we experience live sports. He is also the co-founder of Exokinetics, an innovative technology company dedicated to restoring mobility and independence for people whose options are often limited to walkers or wheelchairs.

Exokinetics’ flagship product, the Zeen enables upright mobility and provides assistance with transitions such as sitting to standing. Beyond making movement easier, the Zeen allows for face-to-face social interaction—something walkers and wheelchairs often limit, yet which can be profoundly life-changing. It truly has to be seen to be appreciated, and I encourage you to explore the Exokinetics website to see it in action.

This conversation was especially compelling for me because Garrett is a true Renaissance man. In addition to his groundbreaking technical achievements, he even enjoyed a successful music career in the 1960s. As an inventor, he approaches problems with curiosity, treating them as puzzles to be solved. He begins by envisioning the solution, then works backward step by step, asking what must happen to reach that endpoint. He also deeply values the importance of building a highly skilled, motivated team. These are concepts that all of us can take to heart, whether you are a busy clinician, a budding inventor, or a medical entrepreneur.

Garrett’s work with Exokinetics was inspired by watching his own parents struggle with mobility as they aged. Despite having no medical background, he took on this challenge with optimism, determination, and creativity—qualities that continue to define him. Now in his 80s, Garrett remains engaged, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to improving lives through innovation.

You can find our conversation anywhere you listen to podcasts, or through the Spotify link below.

My Podcast Interview with Garrett Brown of Exokinetics

Maximize Efficiency and Achieve Work-Life Balance: The Time Priority Matrix for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in July, 2024

Do you ever finish the day feeling as if the time raced by, but instead of making meaningful progress on your goals, you’ve just been putting out fires?

If you’re feeling a constant surge of urgent issues layered on top of your daily responsibilities and opportunities, it can be hard to step back and decide what truly deserves your attention.

The Time Priority Matrix can help you to visualize not only where your time is going but how you are spending it. By sorting your daily activities into clear categories, you will discover how your attention is being directed, and where opportunities may exist to streamline, refocus, and make better use of this valuable and limited resource.

This framework is also known as the Eisenhower Matrix. Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t create the idea, but he famously referenced Dr. Roscoe Miller, a former president of Northwestern University, when he said:

"I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”

The matrix was later popularized by Stephen Covey in his landmark book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  It’s often taught to business leaders, but the concepts can easily be applied to physicians and anyone else seeking to take back some control of time and attention.

How to Use the Time Priority Matrix

Quadrant I

Quadrant I tasks are both urgent and important. Ideally these are limited, but as a physician, these tasks are part of daily life.

The critically ill patient, the urgent report, the call from a worried family member. Many of these urgent and important demands are unavoidable and outside of your control. But sometimes there is a way to mitigate the urgency, and that's where Quadrant II comes into play.

Quadrant II

Quadrant II includes preparation, planning, and prevention. This is the quadrant of anticipation, which means troubleshooting before problems arise. It’s the foundation of preventive care.

You can also apply this idea to your own life. For example, if you're studying for your boards, setting aside a consistent amount of time each day over several months will take you much further than cramming in the final weeks before the exam. Similarly, when you’re learning a new skill or technique, consistently making time to practice it builds confidence and readiness.

Building trusting relationships with patients and colleagues also falls into Quadrant II. By investing time and effort early, you foster trust and collaboration. These qualities are difficult to build without preparation. Ultimately, that groundwork allows your care to be delivered more efficiently and effectively.

Work in this quadrant might not always be exciting or immediately fulfilling, but it will keep you on track to accomplish the goals that are meaningful to you.

You can apply Quadrant II ideas to your personal life as well. Consider your relationships, family, and other interests. What can you do to ensure that the things that matter to you outside of work are cared for and able to flourish?

Quadrant III

Quadrant III is more problematic. These tasks feel urgent, but they are not particularly important.

Physicians are often deeply familiar with this quadrant: interruptions, EHR redundancies, pre-authorization inefficiencies, certain meetings, and much of email communication. These demands can fragment attention and drain energy.

One helpful strategy here is working in focused “chunks,” a technique called task batching. By grouping similar tasks together, you’ll reduce context switching and improve efficiency. Setting and sticking to clear boundaries, like addressing non-urgent issues only at designated times, can also limit interruptions.

Delegation is another key Quadrant III strategy. Can routine paperwork be handled by someone else, leaving only physician-specific sections for you? Can your staff be empowered to manage simple patient requests or schedule visits without your input when an in-box message clearly requires more than a brief response, but doesn’t need emergency care? Reasonable delegation can easily save you an hour or more every day.

Quadrant IV

Quadrant IV is where you’re most likely to reclaim meaningful time and mental space. Mindless scrolling, low-value emails, watching random TV shows, and stressing over social media are good examples of this quadrant's activities.

Sometimes you need a little downtime, but being intentional with how you are spending it may help you to gain some well-earned margin for the things that matter most to you.

Reclaiming Your Time

Reflecting on how you’re using your time is a powerful exercise. The Time Priority Matrix gives you a practical framework for understanding and managing both your professional workload and your personal life more effectively. By mindfully prioritizing your tasks based on urgency and importance, you’ll enhance your productivity, improve your patient care, and create a healthier, more sustainable, and more fulfilling work-life balance.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Creating Action Steps for Process Goals

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in June, 2024

In a previous article I explained the difference between outcome goals and process goals. Simply put, outcome goals are the big-picture results you want to achieve. Process goals, on the other hand, are the small,meaningful steps you take along the way. They are the actions and behaviors that are within your control, and they’re where real change happen

Most effective process goals follow the SMART framework. That means that they are

✅ Specific

✅ Measurable,

✅ Achievable

✅ Relevant

✅ Time-bound

Process goals translate intention into action. They take an abstract desire, like “I want something different,” and turn it into something you can engage with intentionally, one step at a time.

So how do you actually get started?

As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Think of each process goal as one of those steps. Small on its own, but when you place one after the other, you will go far.

Process Goals for Physicians

The template below is a simple and effective place to begin. Set a timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and just start writing. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. By the time the timer goes off, you’ll have something concrete—and that’s far more useful than staying stuck in your head.

Getting Started with Process Goals

1. Get a Notebook:

An analog, hand-written journal tends to work best. It’s less likely to get lost in the noise of your digital life and instead becomes a physical place where your thinking can land.

 2. Define Your Outcome Goal:

Start with a clear sense of what you want to achieve, while staying open to the idea that this goal may evolve. Your outcome goal provides direction, but it doesn’t need to be fixed or final.

 3. Break It Down:

Identify the smallest and most specific actions that will move you closer to your goal. These should be concrete steps you can realistically incorporate into your daily or weekly routine.

 4. Make it SMART:

Refine your process goals so they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This keeps your goals grounded and helps you track progress without feeling overwhelmed or burdened.

 5. Monitor, Reflect, and Adjust:  

Review and update your notebook daily, or at least on a regular schedule. Check off completed process goals and reflect on what’s working. Adjust as needed, either to stay on course or to intentionally change direction.

6. Bonus Step:

Create outcome goals for different time horizons: weekly, monthly, one year, three years, and five years. Revisit these on a set day each week. These goals will often change, and that’s part of the process. Revisiting and revising will help you stay aligned with what matters most to you.

If this all seems a little theoretical, here’s an example of how this process might look.

Process Goals: A Practical Example

Outcome Goal: Find a New Job

Process Goals:

• Clarify your values.

• With those values in mind, identify 3–5 priorities that matter most in your ideal job.

• Write about the reasons those aspects of the job are most important.

• Now that you’ve defined you values and have clarity on what is most important to you, update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills, experiences, interests, and values.

• Identify any new skills your desired role may require

• Create a plan to acquire those new skills.

  • Perhaps that’s attending a specialized training course, spending focused time with a mentor, or self-directed learning.

  • What are the specific steps you need to take to get this done?

• If you want or need to relocate for the new job, create a list of 3-5 places you’d like to live.

• Reach out to three colleagues who might offer insight, connections, or support.

• Research and attend relevant events in your specialty over the next 3-6 months to learn about opportunities and meet people who may be interested in working with you.

• Research potential medical practices or institutions that align with your values and professional goals.

  • Search for people who are decision makers within those organizations

  • Check LinkedIn for shared connections who could make an introduction.

  • Reach out to the connections you’ve identified with an email, message, or phone call, briefly filling them in on your situation and letting them know that you’re requesting an introduction.

  • If an introduction isn’t possible, draft a thoughtful email or message to the decision-maker in the group that you’ve identified.

• Prepare an authentic elevator pitch that reflects who you are and what you’re seeking.

• Anticipate interview questions and outline your responses.

• Practice for interviews with a friend or coach.

As you can see, each one of these is a manageable step. There’s no need to have everything figured out in advance.

Why Process Goals Matter

Focusing on process goals rather than outcome goals can be transformative.

When you take ownership of the actions within your control, you create momentum, reduce stress, and build a sustainable path forward. You move out of inertia and into engagement. And along the way, you may discover unexpected opportunities, insights, or directions you hadn’t anticipated.

DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Breaking Through Procrastination: Practical Strategies for Physicians

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on Doximity.com in December 2022, where I served as an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023.

Perfectionism can be a powerful force for excellence, but it can just as easily become a trap. When “not good enough” feels unbearable, procrastination often becomes a way to escape the discomfort. In a previous article, I shared the ways that for many physicians, this pattern fuels stress, backlog, and burnout. In this article, I’ll give you a set of practical tools to help you work with your perfectionism, not against it, so you can take action with less pressure and more confidence.

Medical Documentation Tactics

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: your medical charts. As your notes pile up and paperwork, pre-authorizations, and letters go unfinished, anxiety levels tend to rise. Before you know it, you’re caught in a spiral of regret and self-criticism.

If you already have a system that works, keep up the great work. But for many physicians, the EHR and report generation are a major source of stress and procrastination. It’s essential to get a handle on this beast early in your career.

Pre-charting

Set aside focused time at the beginning or end of the day for pre-charting so that you have important information reviewed and summarized ahead of time. This way you won’t be frantically searching the chart before or during the visit, potentially missing important details. Pre-charting also helps you to focus the encounter, so you don’t get stuck in the weeds.

Documentation

Aim to complete charts either during the visit or immediately afterward. If that’s simply not possible, commit to completion at the end of a session—not at the end of the week. That’s because the fewer times you have to return to a document, the more focused and efficient you will be. And the less attention residue you’ll have pulling your mind into different directions.

Your documentation needs to be succinct, accurate, and clinically useful. A brief personal detail can also help you remember what mattered most to your patient at the next visit. But remember: your notes do not need to be beautifully crafted works of literature. Minor punctuation, spelling, or transcription errors that don’t alter meaning can often be safely ignored.

Use smart phrases whenever appropriate. Explore AI assistants for history-taking if you can ensure accuracy, and if the notes it generates makes sense to you. The goal is not to be sloppy but to convey essential information efficiently so your patient care and communication remain excellent and easy to read.

Task batching

To avoid a dreaded backlog, block off time once or twice daily for patient communications, test review, insurance paperwork, and administrative tasks. This is task batching. Do it consistently—perhaps with Pomodoro intervals—and even if you don’t finish everything, you will have a reliable process.

Let your team know when you’ll be addressing messages and paperwork. Setting clear and reasonable expectations not only helps to streamline your workflow, but it also strengthens teamwork.

Professional Commitments

Committees, research projects, and other professional obligations deserve a thoughtful review. Is each one meaningful to you, or for the future self that you envision? Does it align with how you want to grow?

Focus on what matters

Sometimes taking on more responsibilities is the right thing for your professional growth or your career trajectory. For instance, the work may open important doors that would otherwise not be available to you. In that case, staying engaged is crucial. If you’ve said “yes,” procrastinating on these professional responsibilities may limit future opportunities.

Accountability partners

If you struggle to stay on track, consider partnering with someone who is on the same committee or project. A quick text check-in can keep you both moving forward. Sometimes simply committing to a plan out loud will get you halfway there.

Learn to say no— or maybe later

But if you find that you have a hard time saying no, even when you know that you don’t have the bandwidth or enthusiasm, then it’s time to reassess. As writer and time management guru Oliver Burkeman reminds us, if we’re lucky, we get about Four Thousand Weeks in a lifetime. Time is a fixed resource. When you say yes to one thing, you are saying no to something else.

If your commitments exceed your capacity, you will never get everything done. And the work that you do may not meet your own standards, or those of the people who depend on you. Choose intentionally. And remember that saying “no” doesn’t always mean “never” or “not at all.” You might have the option to say “maybe later” or “in a limited way.”

Your Personal Life

Having a life outside of the clinic or hospital is crucial to your wellbeing. It helps you to decompress, stretches your brain, and keeps you connected to the outside world. When it comes to family and close friends, your time and attention matter. And of course, regular exercise supports just about every aspect of your health and well-being.

The good news? The bar is usually pretty low. No one in your personal life is expecting perfection. Your presence and engagement are enough.

For your home projects, exercise, and other extracurriculars, consider using a Bullet Journal or other daily log to track your progress and stay on track. Writing things down often improves recall, and unlike digital apps, paper lists don’t disappear into the ether.

To begin something new, commit to five to ten minutes a few times a week, or take a single introductory class. Small steps count. And perfection is absolutely not the point. Learning, growth, and joy are.

Procrastination and Self Compassion

If procrastination is a familiar pattern, cultivating self-compassion is critical. But being kind to yourself doesn’t mean ignoring the mess procrastination may have created. Avoidance only increases stress and extends the consequences.

When charts and calls are delayed, procrastination can also affect your patients and your practice. In the worst cases, it may delay care or cause important notifications to be missed, with potentially serious implications.

If the load feels unbearable, recognize that perfectionism-driven procrastination can contribute to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health conditions. Seek help from a mental health professional if you need it. And if you are questioning your efforts, your direction, or experiencing burnout, consider meeting with a physician coach.

Above all, remember this: your perfectionism is also one of your superpowers. It reflects your high standards, your problem-solving strengths, and your commitment to keeping people safe. Cherish that. Use it wisely. But don’t let it drag you into overwhelm and procrastination.

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DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Outcome Goals vs. Process Goals: A Practical Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in May, 2024

If you’re a doctor, you’re used to reaching goals. But it’s possible that many of those goals were chosen for you. Others may have emerged from a well-worn template that you had little role in shaping. When it comes to creating and achieving goals that are personally meaningful and aligned with who you are now, it’s common to feel stuck or unsure how to move forward with purpose. That’s where process goals come into play.

When the future you envision feels unattainable, the challenge may not be your motivation or ability. Instead, it may be the type of goal you’ve chosen. That’s what this article is about. Whether it’s landing a new position, getting better control of your time and energy, reaching a financial milestone, or even taking a long-dreamed-of vacation, the focus is often on the end result. And that can feel like a heavy lift.

To be clear, it’s important to have an outcome in mind. But what if I told you that shifting your focus from the outcome to the process could be the key to your success?

In this article I’ll explain the difference between outcome goals and process goals. I’ll give you some easy-to-understand examples of how this can work for you. And I’ll share some steps that you can start working on today.

Understanding Outcome Goals vs. Process Goals

Outcome goals are the big results you want to achieve. They provide direction and motivation, but they’re often influenced by factors outside your direct control, like competition, institutional constraints, time pressures, unexpected obstacles, or competing responsibilities. There’s nothing wrong with having big goals. Sometimes the challenge is simply that the goal is too broad or vague.

Process goals, on the other hand, are the steps you take to move towards your outcome goals. They focus on the actions and behaviors that are well within your control.

Process goals are:

• Short-term (usually less than a week)

• Concrete and realistic       

• Highly specific

• Trackable and measurable

• Flexible and adjustable

• Aligned with your values

In short, process goals are often SMART goals. For example, a process goal might be exercising for 30 minutes three times a week, enrolling in a leadership development course, sending one email per week to request a letter of recommendation, or practicing the guitar for an hour each weekend.

When you focus on process goals, you maintain control over your progress. You can adjust as needed, without the pressure of immediately achieving something big, visible, or definitive.

Process goals move you towards an outcome, even though that outcome is not always guaranteed. This is the way you break down a goal that seems unattainable, even audacious, and create your own roadmap. You may not end up exactly where you expected, but you’ll make forward movement. And often, new and better possibilities emerge along the way. Sometimes those become the new outcome goal.

The Benefits of Focusing on Process Goals

Consistency and Habits

Process goals encourage you to develop consistent habits. By committing to daily or weekly actions, no matter how small, you’ll build a routine that supports long-term progress.

Flexibility

Unlike outcome goals, which can feel rigid and unforgiving, process goals allow for flexibility. If one approach isn't working, you can change course without feeling like you've failed. Changing direction is a normal and exciting part of the process goal method. By creating small process steps, you’re allowing yourself to experiment with small stakes outcomes.

Reduced Stress

Shifting attention from the end result to the day-to-day actions reduces stress and anxiety. You’ll stay grounded in the present, finding satisfaction in what you’re doing now, and feel more agency over your progress.

Enhanced Motivation

Small wins matter. Completing manageable process goals builds your confidence and momentum. You can see progress as it happens, and that naturally reinforces your commitment over time. This is sometimes described as a “flywheel.” It takes effort to get started, but once it’s moving, progress becomes easier and more self-sustaining.

Moving From Intention to Action

For more about SMART goals, check out my recent article here. And if you’d like help translating process goals into clear action steps, this article will walk you through a practical framework. You’ll find a template to help you get started, and a real-world example of the way this process might work for someone who is seeking a new job or position.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Fear of Failure

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on Doximity.com in December 2022, where I served as an Op-Med Fellow from 2022-2023.

You probably didn’t become a physician without a healthy dose of perfectionism. From preschool through residency and beyond, many of us have survived, thrived, and been rewarded for our perfectionist tendencies. And when you didn’t hit the mark? You may have felt the sting of your parents’ and teachers’ disappointment. Eventually, you may have learned to define yourself by your perfectionism.

Self-imposed perfectionism shows no signs of abating, especially among people born in the 1980s and later. Outsiders may counter that “no one is perfect,” but in medicine, the drive to excel is both valued and expected. Your patients rely on your thoroughness and attention to detail to keep them safe and healthy.

But perfectionism has a dark side. When taken too far, it can cause harm to both you and your patients.

Paradoxically, perfectionism can keep you from doing your best work. It can keep you fearful and unwilling to move out of your comfort zone, even when there are better options. It can also hold you back from living your best life.

In this article, I’ll talk about how perfectionism and self criticism often go hand in hand with procrastination. And in a follow up article, I’ll give you some actionable steps that can help you to overcome the self-imposed inertia that perfectionism often creates.

Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Imposter Syndrome

It’s no wonder perfectionists often deal with impostor syndrome. When you fear you won’t meet your own high expectations, procrastination can become an unconscious way of avoiding that discomfort.

What’s more, when you fall prey to imposter syndrome, you may overlook or give up opportunities for the very growth that could nurture your joy in medicine. Learning new skills, taking on a leadership role, and discovering a position that is more aligned with your values may all fall by the wayside when you’re avoiding the discomfort of imperfection.

And when you’re uncomfortable with embracing a beginner’s mindset for fear of not being good enough, you may find yourself reluctant to take up hobbies, activities, or projects that might enrich your life and create new connections.

Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Fear of Success

It might seem counter-intuitive, but another factor holding perfectionists back is often a fear of success. This may arise from a fear of change and discomfort with the unknown. The end result may be the same: procrastination and a failure to act in your own best interests.

Breaking the Cycle of Procrastination

Fear of falling short of your own high standards often shows up in very ordinary ways, including unfinished charts, unanswered messages, and unopened emails. These small backlog items can quickly compound, creating significant stress, frustrated patients and colleagues, and, perhaps, unwelcome attention from administration.

Beating yourself up for feeling overwhelmed and disorganized only makes the problem worse, reinforcing fears of inadequacy and fueling anxiety. Ultimately, the problem comes full circle, becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

To break the cycle of fear, frustration, and despair, it’s important to remember that procrastination does not mean you are incapable or irresponsible. It’s not a failure of character or an unwillingness to do hard things. As a physician, you’ve already demonstrated resilience, discipline, and the ability to meet the extraordinarily high demands of the profession.

Harnessing Your Perfectionism

So how do you put these insights into practice and harness your perfectionism so that you can overcome procrastination? Start by putting that superpower to work where it actually counts. Focus on the things that you’re putting off that make a difference. For example, clear, accurate treatment plans, operative notes, and imaging reports. These are the tasks that matter, and people are counting on you to complete them. They don’t need to be polished masterpieces, but they do need to be concise, actionable, and done.

It’s important to recognize that the same level of perfectionism doesn’t have to apply to everything that you do. It’s often the non-clinical commitments, like insurance paperwork, administrative requests, and lingering home projects, that drain your mental energy. If no one’s life or livelihood depends on these tasks being flawless, offer yourself a bit of grace. For many routine responsibilities, perfection isn’t worth the effort and may not even be possible. For those, “good and done” is usually more than enough.

At other times, the most compassionate choice for yourself, as well as the most expedient, is to delegate when you can. And sometimes, when it’s appropriate, you may simply need to say no.

In an upcoming article, I’ll share practical tips to help you break through procrastination and get to the other side.

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DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Setting SMART Goals: A Guide for Physicians

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in May, 2024

If you’re a physician, you’re no stranger to goal setting. Reaching this point in your professional life took focus, intention, and years of steady effort.

But over time, you may have noticed that your goal-setting muscle has atrophied a little, while at the same time, the guardrails that once shaped your direction have fallen away. No matter where you are now or where you hope to be in the future, there is no longer a prescribed path to follow. If you seek growth or change, creating the map is now up to you.

As Joseph Campbell warned, in his book The Power of Myth, “If the path before you is clear, you're probably on someone else's.” Unlike the well-worn trail you may have followed in the past, you now have the opportunity to shape your new direction though your own unique talents, interests, and vision.

This period of possibility is often the point where forward momentum stalls, even as you feel drawn toward something more fulfilling. There is a way through, and it begins with setting goals. In this article, I’ll tell you about SMART goals, and how they can help you design a life that’s true to your values and your dreams.

If choosing, planning, and carrying out your own goals feels daunting, you’re not alone. Professional, financial, personal, physical, or even spiritual goals can all compete for your attention. Where do you start? And what can you expect along the way? How do you know if you’re doing it “right”? As with so many other life skills, it’s likely that no one ever taught you how to set goals.

Clear goal setting lays the groundwork for your success and keeps you moving forward, so knowing how to set realistic goals that matter is crucial. A study of medical students in a surgical clerkship found that those who set clear and specific skill-related goals were more likely to get the outcomes they desired, compared with those who just hoped for the best.  And goal setting may also reduce your cognitive load, meaning that you have use less mental effort to get the work done.

SMART goals offer a practical framework that breaks the goal-setting process down into clear and manageable parts. Innovators and movers in the business world have been using this tool for years, and it’s something that can work for physicians as well. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of setting SMART goals that are realistic, meaningful, and aligned with what matters most to you.

The SMART Goal Method

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. To get started, set aside a block of uninterrupted time to reflect honestly and unguardedly on what you most want to work toward and the outcomes you hope to create. Give yourself at least 30 minutes. Then begin to map your goals using the SMART framework that I outline below.

Writing out your goals by hand can make the process more powerful. Research suggests that physically writing goals increases follow-through compared with typing them into a document or app.

Specific

Get as clear as possible about your goal. As author Jack Canfield puts it, “vague goals produce vague results.”   Define your goal in one or two concise sentences.

Framing your goal in positive language can also increase motivation, making it more likely that you’ll get it done. For example, instead of deciding you want to get out of an unhappy work environment, you might reframe this goal as moving towards a more fulfilling role.

Measurable

You should be able to track your progress objectively. This might involve a checklist, a habit tracker, specific numbers, or another concrete way to see movement toward your goal.

Attainable

Choose a goal that is realistic and within your control. Attainable means that you take into account your real-world constraints, including time, energy, finances, and cognitive load. The goal should stretch you, but not so much that it sets you up for frustration.

Don’t get too caught up in the idea of your limitations. The magic of the process is that once you reach your first goal, other possibilities that are currently out of reach may open up. In the words of writer Joseph Campbell, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.”

Relevant

To be sustainable, your goal should align with your core values and personal vision. The goal should matter to you, not just to your friends, family, or administrators. It’s great if the goal will make everyone happy, but if it’s not your own, you’ll be less likely to commit to it.

Time-Bound

Without a timeline, it can be hard to get started. That’s just human nature. When you set and commit to a deadline, or even better, a series of deadlines, you’ll create momentum and accountability.

Once you’ve identified your goal, break it down into “micro goals” (sometimes known as process goals) that you can complete within a very short period of time. This progressive completion will help propel you forward, keeping the momentum going.

Sustaining SMART Goals Over Time

As you work toward your goals, don’t forget to notice what you’ve accomplished. Keeping a “done” list can be a great reminder, especially when your time seems to get away from you. Honor your effort by celebrating each small step. Call a friend, take a walk, enjoy a night out, or simply pause to notice your effort. These small (or big) moments of recognition make it easier to stay engaged with your goals, even when progress feels slow.

SMART goals are closely tied to how you use your limited and precious time. Large goals can feel overwhelming, but consistency matters more than intensity. Even ten to fifteen minutes a few days each week can lead to meaningful progress over time.

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DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website, for which I am grateful! Please do your own research before making any important decisions.

If you struggle with time management, I have a number of articles available on the website that may be helpful. They focus on issues that are specifically relevant to physicians and medical practice. If you’re looking for more guidance, my Four Week Focus Shift course is a self-guided way to find focus for the goals that matter. I also offer 3 and 6 month Time Management coaching packages for physicians.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

References

Campbell, J., & Moyers, B. (2011). The Power of Myth. Anchor.

Doran, G.T. (1981) There’s a SMART Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives. Journal of Management Review, 70, 35-36.

Etkin, J. (2019). Time in relation to goals. Current Opinion in Psychology, 26, 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.04.013

Gardner, A. K., Diesen, D. L., Hogg, D. C., & Huerta, S. (2016). The impact of goal setting and goal orientation on performance during a clerkship surgical skills training program. ˜the œAmerican Journal of Surgery, 211(2), 321–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.07.028

Locke, Edwin & Latham, Gary. (2002). Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation: A 35Year Odyssey. American Psychologist. 57. 705-717. 10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705.

Nebel, S., Schneider, S., Schledjewski, J., & Rey, G. D. (2016). Goal-Setting in educational video games. Simulation & Gaming, 48(1), 98–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878116680869

Oscarsson M, Carlbring P, Andersson G, Rozental A. A large-scale experiment on New Year's resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 9;15(12):e0234097. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234097. PMID: 33296385; PMCID: PMC7725288.

Van Der Weel, F. R., & Van Der Meer, A. L. H. (2024). Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity: a high-density EEG study with implications for the classroom. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219945

How to Optimize Short Patient Appointment Times Without Sacrificing Care

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in April, 2024

If you’ve ever looked at your schedule and wondered how you’re going to fit high-quality patient care into 15-minute slots, you’re not alone.

Across every specialty, limited visit times are one of the top drivers of physician stress, frustrated patients, and after-hours charting. Short visit times increase the likelihood of medical errors and inappropriate treatment, drive up inbox volume and unnecessary follow-ups, and contribute to physician burnout.

While you may not have control over your clinic template, there are ways to make your day run more smoothly, without compromising care.

This guide walks you through through practical, real-world strategies that will help you to streamline visits, reduce your cognitive load, improve patient flow, and decrease your after-hours charting time. Although they are not a substitute for sorely needed systemic change, these small improvements will increase patient satisfaction and help you end the day with more bandwidth.

Pre-visit Information Collection

Empower your medical assistant to gather the essentials

• Have the MA record symptoms, including duration and severity, before you enter the room. This prepares you and reinforces the MA’s value as part of the care team.

Ask patients for their top three concerns.

• When patients list their priorities up front, you can structure the visit more effectively and reduce unexpected “one more thing” moments.

Scan these notes before entering.

• A quick review before opening the door helps you walk in with a plan and guide the conversation with intention and presence.

Standardization and Checklists:

Use quick-reference checklists for common diagnoses.

• These promote consistency, streamline documentation, and support pre-authorization when needed.

• When you take the time to make a checklist, you’ll be more likely to include all the pertinent information, which limits follow up phone calls and clarification.

Provide standardized protocols for procedures and testing.

• Clear, repeatable instructions reduce variation, support your staff, and keep visits moving smoothly.

• Standardized orders also mean less likelihood that you’ll be asked for additional information by the testing center or referral later.

Efficient Communication Techniques

Teach-Back Method

• Ask patients to explain the diagnosis or treatment plan to you in their own words. This quick check ensures they truly understand what to do next.

• While it may take an extra minute or two during the visit, Teach-Back often saves time later by reducing confusion, unnecessary portal messages, and preventable follow-up visits. It also improves adherence and patient confidence.

Closed-Loop Communication

• Closed-loop communication is used with staff, not patients. When an order or instruction is given, the receiver repeats it back (“You want a CBC and TSH today?”), and the sender confirms to close the loop.

• This simple habit prevents errors, reduces rework, and supports efficient teamwork, especially in busy clinical settings where interruptions are common.

Leverage Technology and Tools

Use EMR templates, macros, and AI tools

• Well-built templates reduce cognitive load, speed documentation, and increase consistency.

• Consider AI tools if available, but keep in mind their pitfalls. These include the potential for introducing error, adding extraneous information, and the fact that they are not written in your own words, which means that future chart review may be more cumbersome.

Provide high quality patient education resources

• Directing patients to trusted and vetted handouts or videos cuts down on repeated explanations and post-visit questions.

Delegate What You Can

Routine tasks can often be handed off to your team.

• Refills, standard lab orders, and routine follow-ups can frequently be managed by MAs or nurses using established protocol

Assign follow-up tracking to staff.

• When necessary, checking whether a patient completed labs, started a new medication, or scheduled a procedure or referral can be delegated rather than handled in your inbox.

Smarter Scheduling Strategies

Build brief buffer times when possible.

• Short breaks every couple of hours help you recover from delays, take a bio break, and recalibrate.

Cluster similar appointments.

• When feasible, grouping related visit types reduces mental switching and improves your overall efficiency.

Structure the Visit Intentionally

Sit down and face the patient.

• It immediately builds trust and helps patients feel heard — even in short appointments.

Open with: “What brings you here today?”

• This keeps the visit aligned with your patient’s priorities and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth chitchat that can derail the appointment.

The Bottom Line

By optimizing your clinic flow, you’ll improve:

• Patient care

• Patient understanding and adherence

• Staff morale and engagement

• Your ability to stay on schedule

• Your end-of-day workload and energy

Over time, these small steps can reduce your stress, improve the quality of care, and help you finish the day with a greater sense of accomplishment and control.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Define Your Values to Create Your Ideal Life a Physician

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in January, 2023

Your values are integral to your identity. They’re the deeply personal forces that shape your decisions, your relationships, and the way you move through the world. And although your values are fundamental to who you are, it’s surprisingly easy to drift out of alignment with them. Responsibilities, expectations, and the sheer momentum of daily pressures can pull you off course.

When you take time to clarify and name your values, you may find that they readily crystallize into five or six core ideas. These become the anchors that bring your life meaning, purpose, and steadiness.

In this article, I’ll guide you through a simple exercise that will help you clarify your personal values. As your bring your values into the light, your awareness will sharpen and your decisions will start to feel more intuitive and connected. You’ll recognize which of your many opportunities are worth a wholehearted “yes,” which ones deserve a thoughtful “no,” and how to move toward your next step, even when the path seems rocky and untraveled.

First, Define Your Values

The first step towards living your values is to define them. This can feel a little unnecessary at first, since you likely know intuitively what matters to you. But putting a name to your values and seeing them written out in black and white can be surprisingly illuminating.

For this exercise, think of a value as a single word that captures an idea, a belief, or a way of being in the world. I’ve created a list of values for you to get started with. You can find them here. Or you can get a guided Values Workbook for free when you sign up for my newsletter.

Go through the list and circle the values that speak most strongly to you. Don’t overthink it. Your values may change over time, and that’s completely normal. There are no right or wrong, or good or bad, answers.

Once you have circled your top values, write them out. Take a good look at what you have written and see if you can narrow them down into five groups. From there, discover what themes emerge. These are your core values.

Next, Put Your Values into Action

Now, thinking about your core values, consider how you might choose to elevate these values in your daily life. Don’t try to make sweeping changes. Instead, think of small actions or choices that might more completely align your values with your life.

If you notice a wide gap between your values and the way you’re currently living, it may be a sign to pause and reassess your path.

Translating values into daily practice isn’t always straightforward. If it feels cumbersome or misaligned, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. A physician coach can be a valuable partner, helping you build deeper self-awareness and explore options that will help you to honor your unique values and aspirations.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Five Simple Ways Busy Physicians Can Save Time

An earlier version of this article appeared on this site in October 2022.

Time is a precious commodity, and just like gold, there’s only so much of it to go around. Your patients, your administrators, your family, your community—everyone wants some of it. With only 24 hours in a day, it may seem that there simply isn’t time to give everyone what they need, let alone take care of your own needs.

In many cases, that’s true. The reality is that, especially if you work in primary care, you might actually need 27 full working hours each day to get everything done that’s expected of you. And that’s before factoring in the time to take care of yourself, your personal relationships, and those who depend on you.

Why Time Feels So Scarce

Ironically, despite your many years of school, training, and continuing education, you were probably never taught time management. It was simply expected that you’d figure it out along the way. Yet the ever-increasing demands on physicians have created an unsustainable pace and record levels of burnout.

While the demands may be unrealistic, there are practical ways to regain some control that don’t require you to cut corners or compromise your standards.

There is no way to magically manifest more time. Although multitasking used to be encouraged, it’s now clear that you can truly only do one thing well at a time. In fact, an Australian study of Emergency Department physicians found a nearly two-fold risk of errors with multi-tasking. So what is the answer?

A Practical Path Forward

I’m a Physician Coach with additional certification in Time Management Coaching. After years as a cardiologist and now as a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative effective time management can be. When physicians learn to manage their time with greater clarity and intention, they gain more control over both their professional and personal lives. The result is enhanced well-being, a renewed sense of purpose, and the space to pursue what truly matters, including your passions, priorities, and most meaningful goals.

Don’t let the idea of change hold you back. Time management doesn’t have to be complicated or convoluted. Small, deliberate steps can lead to lasting improvement.

In this article, I’ll tell you about five simple ways to reclaim wasted time. These are battle-tested methods that I refined during my years in cardiology and continue to use successfully with my physician clients today.

⌛Organize your physical and virtual workspaces.

Make it easy to find all the tools you need to get your work done. Don’t forget to put them back in place at the end of the day so you’re not hunting for what you need the next morning. As simple as it sounds, an organized workspace helps to set the stage for a well-ordered day.

Keep your computer files tidy as well, and organize your “smart phrases” in your EHR. These simple steps can save crucial minutes and free up brain space. Over the course of a day, that can really add up. Take advantage of any available technical support to make things run more efficiently. Developing a system that makes sense to you means less friction at work and at home.

⌛Commit to only touching each piece of paper or email once

Set aside focused blocks of time to manage your inboxes, and when possible, complete each task before moving on to the next. Even 5–10 minutes of dedicated attention can make a meaningful difference. Delete or toss what’s unnecessary, and keep your inboxes organized. If you’re fortunate to have administrative help, put it to good use by delegating and automating whenever possible.

Beyond the EHR, emails can be overwhelming. Most physicians receive dozens, if not hundreds, of emails every day, along with stacks of paper. Much of it is irrelevant or distracting, but some items are time-sensitive and important. Create a system that helps you focus on the things that matter. Prioritize critical communications, and let less important ones flow into a secondary folder or be forwarded to someone who can handle them for you.

⌛Get your charting done before moving on to the next patient.

When you do your charts as you go, you’ll remember the details that you need to make the note accurate, and you’ll be less likely to forget to include things like orders, refills, and instructions. Patients will appreciate it, and you may have fewer requests for clarification after the appointment. I learned this early on, and it made all the difference.

Consider using AI to help with your notes if a good system is available for your EHR. A scribe (or virtual scribe) can also be a valuable asset. It can be a little tricky and time-consuming to get up to speed with your charting at first, especially if you’ve fallen behind, but I promise it will save you time and aggravation in the long run if you can manage to do it efficiently. The next tip will help with this.

⌛Automate and delegate your common phrases and tasks

Create smart phrases in your EMR for common diagnoses, patient instructions, and frequently asked questions. It saves time, improves your clarity, and ensures consistency. You can always add a sentence or two to personalize your notes. Whenever you can, delegate administrative tasks to your staff rather than handling them yourself. The next section offers practical tips to help make that process seamless.

⌛Streamline Team Communications

Clear, respectful communication with nurses, assistants, and other staff can dramatically cut down on back-and-forth clarifications and misunderstandings. Establish straightforward channels for information flow and take time to develop protocols for common situations that don’t require your direct involvement. This proactive approach strengthens teamwork, reduces errors, and helps ensure a smoother experience for your patients.

Small Changes, Big Impact

If you’re like most physicians, you’re probably pulled in several directions at once. There’s no question that healthcare systems must do more to reduce the load on physicians. The growing consensus is clear: the current demands are unsustainable. Realistically, larger changes take time, but you can make small shifts that create a bit more breathing room in your day right now. Even modest improvements in time management can lower your stress, enhance your focus, and give you back valuable hours in your day.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

References

Hodkinson A, Zhou A, Johnson J et al. (2022) Associations of physician burnout with career engagement and quality of patient care: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ

Porter, J., Boyd, C., Skandari, M.R. et al. (2022). Revisiting the Time Needed to Provide Adult Primary Care. J Gen Intern Med (2022)

Westbrook JI, Raban MZ, Walter SR, et al. (2018) Task errors by emergency physicians are associated with interruptions, multitasking, fatigue and working memory capacity: a prospective, direct observation study. BMJ Quality & Safety

Small Chapters, Big Impact: A Microdose Reading List for Physicians

If you’re a physician who wants to read more but can’t imagine adding another obligation to your growing to-do list, this article is for you. And if you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for your favorite doctor, you’ve come to the right place.

As a reader who is often pressed for time, I’m sharing five books that are designed to be “microdosed”—read in tiny, potent chapters that you can fit into the beginning or end of your day.

Each book offers practical tools and reflective prompts that can spark curiosity, strengthen communication, help you reconnect with yourself, and deepen your experience of mindfulness and presence.

📘Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts is the latest book from one of my favorite authors. You might also check out Burkeman’s 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, a 2021 best-seller that offers a profound reality check.

This slim collection of reflections offers bite-sized philosophical resets for anyone who feels stretched thin or caught in constant urgency. Burkeman’s writing is grounding, perspective-shifting, and even soothing. It’s perfect for when you’re navigating complexity in daily life.

Why it’s worth your time:

🪷Provides a calm counterpoint to pressure, metrics, and nonstop decision-making

🪷Reconnects you with meaning beyond your to-do list

🪷Encourages presence, acceptance, and clarity

How you can use it:

Each chapter works like a micro-practice: read a single page, pause, and carry the insight forward into your day.

📘In Short: A Collection of Brief Creative Nonfiction edited by Judith Kitchen & Mary Paumier Jones

In Short: A Collection of Brief Creative Nonfiction is a wonderful anthology of tiny essays, some no longer than a paragraph, that spark curiosity, empathy, and imagination. It was recommended by one of my MFA professors at the University of Hartford, but it’s perfect for physicians who want to reconnect with creativity or rediscover reflective thinking.

Why it’s worth your time:

🪷Strengthens reflection and narrative thinking in just a few pages at a time

🪷Opens space for exploring different perspectives, including those that may mirror the experiences of your patients or colleagues

🪷Inspires you to observe the world (and yourself) in new ways

🪷A lovely way to close the day with a short piece that lets your mind unwind

How you can use it:

Use any essay as a journaling or self-reflection prompt. You might ask yourself:

What surprised me?

What emotion did this evoke?

What memory or connection does this spark?

📘The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

You may know Jefferson Fisher from his wildly popular podcast. His book is just as entertaining, and equally actionable.

Written in short, punchy chapters, his framework is especially valuable for physicians who want to stay clear-headed, confident, and calm in challenging interactions. In The Next Conversation, Fisher distills communication into simple, repeatable skills.

Why it’s worth your time:

🪷Boosts emotional intelligence and relational presence 

🪷Helps you stay steady during difficult conversations with patients, colleagues, or family 

🪷Reduces conflict and misunderstanding through simple, actionable shifts

How you can use it:

Every chapter includes practical tools, including scripts, mindset shifts, reflection questions, or “try this today” strategies, that you can immediately apply to your real-world conversations.

📘The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad

Part memoir, part creative workbook, Jaouad’s Book of Alchemy invites you to explore healing, identity, and transformation in small, beautifully crafted pieces. It’s ideal for reconnecting with your self and finding your own True North, whether that’s during transitions, burnout recovery, or times when life feels heavy or out of sync.

Why it’s worth your time:

🪷Supports emotional renewal and personal clarity

🪷Helps you explore who you are beyond your professional role 

🪷Encourages creativity, meaning-making, and gentle introspection

How you can use it:

The brief daily readings include writing prompts, short creative exercises, rituals, and reflective questions. You can complete a single prompt in a few minutes and feel the shift immediately.

📘The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

One of my long-time favorites, The Bullet Journal Method offers strategies for goal setting and purpose building in digestible chunks. Unlike the bullet journals you might have encountered on social media, Carroll’s method doesn’t require artistic spreads or elaborate pages. Instead, the power lies in simple, structured thinking which, when practiced regularly, will help you to define and achieve your goals.

Why it’s worth your time:

🪷Helps you capture scattered thoughts and transform them into clear action

🪷Reduces cognitive overload, especially during busy days at work

🪷Supports mindful time management and values-aligned decision-making

How you can use it:

Try a daily log, monthly reflection, a simple habit tracker—or all of the above. Even using one or two tools can dramatically improve your focus and follow-through.

Some Final Thoughts

Each book in this list offers deep insight in small, manageable doses. Whether you’re seeking clarity, creativity, impactful conversations, or a more organized mind, these five titles provide accessible and inspiring ways to support your wellbeing, one short and beautifully written chapter at a time.

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This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the work I share here.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Physician Burnout and Self-Compassion: Five Reasons to Stop Being So Hard on Yourself

An earlier version of this article appeared on the website in April, 2024

If you’re like many physicians, it may be easy to lose sight of your value. Healthcare today faces unprecedented challenges and stressors, and it’s sometimes hard not to take it personally when things go off the rails.

Physicians are often their own toughest critics. You may find yourself frustrated when you can’t meet your own high standards, or those imposed on you that often have little to do with the care you provide. Some days it can feel like being a doctor is a thankless task. Doctor’s Day may come once a year, but your dedication deserves recognition every single day. Here are five reasons to celebrate yourself and your colleagues every day.

You Want to Do Good in the World

Medicine draws people who are not only intelligent and capable but also deeply motivated to make a difference. But wanting to do good and actually doing the work are two very different things. You do the work. Although your efforts may not always be acknowledged, your actions, big and small, directly affect the health and well-being of your patients and your community.

You Do Hard Things Every Day

Physicians regularly face situations that would rattle most people. From making life-or-death decisions to navigating complex systems that test your patience and compassion, you do hard things every day. The administrative and emotional load is heavy, yet you show up. You care about your patients and their outcomes. You keep going. That resilience and strength put you in a league of your own.

You Are Passionate About Your Work

Passion is the lifeblood of innovation and motivation. Physicians often pursue their profession because of a deep-seated passion for healing and discovery. Even on days when you feel less than enthusiastic, your years of focus and commitment drive you to do your best work.

You Come from All Walks of Life

Physicians come from every corner of the world, and every background imaginable. Whether you grew up in a rural town or a large urban community, a US metroplex or a country thousands of miles away, each physician carries a distinctive set of perspectives and skills. The unique perspective you bring, shaped by your culture, upbringing, and experiences, makes medicine stronger and more humane.

You Are a Force for Change

Physicians are often at the forefront of change, not only in their clinics or hospitals but also in the broader context. Collectively, you have the power to influence healthcare policy, improve patient care standards, and lead community health initiatives. What you do makes a difference in ways, big and small, that ripple out into the world.

Hold on to Your “Why”

You are not just a cog in a vast healthcare machine. You’re a healer, a listener, and a leader. What you do has meaning and deep purpose. Take this moment to honor your impact, the lives you touch, and the difference you make each day.

If you’ve lost sight of that sense of purpose or feel the weight of constant responsibility, coaching can help you reconnect to your values, your energy, and your “why.”

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Getting Unstuck: How a Simple Mind Shift Can Move Your Life Forward

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in April, 2024

If you’re a physician, you’re probably juggling patient care, administrative tasks, and personal responsibilities like a boss. But when you feel the need for something beyond the daily routine, whether that’s professional growth, personal renewal, or a new path, it can feel daunting.

Maybe you’re wanting to learning a new procedure, launch a research project, carve out space for self-care, or perhaps you’re even considering a major career move. These big leaps can seem daunting. So despite your motivation to move forward, it’s common to feel caught in a loop—busy but stuck in place, like a hamster on a treadmill.

As a physician coach, I see this often. From the inside, the obstacles can feel huge. But there’s always a way through, and it starts with understanding what’s holding you back.

In this article, I’ll explore common reasons that physicians feel immobilized, and I’ll offer you some strategies that will get you moving forward with purpose.

Break the Cycle of Habit Loops

The issue may not be a lack of action. Instead, you may find yourself defaulting to actions that feel safe and predictable in the moment, but don’t truly move you forward. It’s a common trap. Whether it’s procrastinating on notes, sidestepping difficult conversations, or saying yes too often, these autopilot habits can hold you back from the progress you want.

➡️Strategy: Notice your default loops and interrupt them. Swap one unhelpful behavior for something small but different. That could be finishing one note before checking email, setting a five-minute timer to reflect before agreeing to a request, or committing to learning something new each week. Even tiny pattern shifts break the cycle and let in some light.

Stop Overthinking and Start Moving

Other times, the problem isn’t repetition, it’s hesitation. You know that you need to make a change, but fear of making the wrong choice or endless analysis of your options keeps you frozen. You tell yourself you’re “waiting for the right time,” but in reality, you’re letting opportunities slip by while the decision sits untouched.

➡️Strategy: Embrace the concept of “progress, not perfection.” Understand that inaction is also a decision, and sometimes the most costly one. But creating your future doesn’t have to mean leaping into the great unknown. Choose a single, manageable step aligned with your goals. Build momentum gradually, and your confidence will rise with each action you take.

Handle Challenges Before They Grow

Unresolved problems don’t vanish. They tend to grow tentacles and multiply. Whether patient-related, administrative, or personal, ignoring nagging issues drains your energy and makes forward motion harder.

➡️Strategy: Be proactive. That doesn’t mean you solve everything on the fly. Instead, put each issue in its place: delegate it, schedule time to address it, or even decide to say no. Building this habit can turn obstacles into action points instead of lingering stressors.

The Weight of Incomplete Tasks

Unfinished notes and half-done tasks are a huge mental burden. For physicians, this irritating backlog is not only stressful but can compromise patient care. It’s a constant source of attention residue that saps your brainpower and makes you less efficient.

➡️Strategy: Get that stuff done. Use templates, smart phrases, and to-the-point documentation practices to streamline charting. Tackle your inbox with a “touch it once” mindset: respond, delegate, or delete. Time-management tools like time-blocking or the Pomodoro Technique can keep you on track and reduce overwhelm. You might even schedule a “chart date” with a friend, making a pact to get your unfinished work done together.

Reclaim Your Value

You know your work matters. Your patients count on you, and you make a difference in their lives. Yet it’s common for physicians to undervalue themselves. When that happens, you may find yourself stuck in toxic environments, missing out on opportunities, or saying yes to projects that drain your energy and don’t serve your best interests.

➡️Strategy: Practice self-reflection and affirmation to strengthen your sense of worth. Journaling can be a very useful exercise. So can revisiting a folder or a box with notes of appreciation from patients and colleagues. When needed, work with a coach to clarify your values and goals, and build confidence. If the burden feels especially heavy, consider scheduling time with a therapist.

Stop Living by Other People’s Expectations

From family expectations to workplace culture, many physicians find themselves following someone else’s script. Over time, this can leave you in roles that don’t align with your values.

➡️Strategy: Define success on your own terms. Take time to reflect on what success means to you, both personally and professionally. Living authentically creates momentum and fulfillment that external definitions of success never will.

Moving Forward

Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be a way of life. When you begin to recognize what’s keeping you in place and apply intentional strategies, you can shift from stagnation to forward motion.

Anchor yourself in your values, trust your resilience, and let small actions become stepping-stones toward change. As you shift your mindset from simply accepting the status quo to creating space for growth, you’ll begin to notice opportunities opening where you once only saw obstacles.

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This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the work I share here.

If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Why Should Healthcare Systems Invest in Coaching?

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on this site in August 2022.

Over the past decade, the pace of change for physicians in medical practice has accelerated dramatically. Consolidation of practices, evolving healthcare laws, the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifts in ownership models have reshaped the landscape.

With a few exceptions, the era of the independent solo practitioner, or even the small single-specialty group, is largely behind us. By early 2022, nearly three-quarters of U.S. physicians were employed by hospitals or corporations—a 19% increase over just three years, according to Avalere Health. And in 2023, the percentage grew by another 5 percent, representing nearly 20,000 additional doctors.

While recent events have highlighted the considerable risks, the consolidation of care also brings potential benefits such as cost savings, improved outcome measurement, and more streamlined delivery systems. At the same time, in acquiring these formerly independent practices, large healthcare systems may not have fully recognized the immense responsibility they were assuming for the satisfaction and well-being of their employed physicians.

Bridging the Gap: Physicians and Healthcare Systems

Healthcare administrators are a diverse group. Many have some background as healthcare professionals, but they may not fully understand or embrace the qualities that lead individuals to pursue the life of a physician.

Physicians are, by nature, highly intelligent, driven, and often perfectionistic individuals. Many view medicine as a calling— a mindset that can make it difficult to set limits, leaving physicians vulnerable to overwork and exploitation.

Recognizing these character traits makes it all the more concerning that in a 2024 survey, more than 40 percent of physicians reported at least one symptom of burnout, compared to about 25 percent in 2000. Much of this is driven by systemic pressures: declining autonomy, heavy documentation requirements, and increasing challenges to civility and trust between patients and physicians.

Healthcare systems carry a responsibility to address these challenges. Meaningful reforms in workload distribution, clerical support, and leadership culture are essential. But alongside systemic changes, physicians need tools that help them navigate the pressures of their daily work. Many organizations are discovering that coaching offers a meaningful and measurable way to support their physicians.

How can coaching help?

Coaching is not the answer to burnout, but it can be a powerful intervention. A study from the Mayo Clinic found that after 6 coaching sessions by credentialed coaches, the rate of burnout decreased by over 17 percent. In contrast, burnout in the control group increased by nearly 5%. And rates of emotional exhaustion dropped by nearly 20% in the coached group but increased 10% in controls.

Beyond mitigating burnout, coaching can help physicians navigate the challenges of daily practice, including:

• Identifying inefficiencies and improving time management

• Reducing wasted effort and improving organization

• Strengthening communication and leadership skills

• Managing difficult and distressing interactions and scenarios

• Reconnecting with meaning and purpose in their work

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Failing to address physician well-being carries enormous financial and human costs. Burned-out physicians are more likely to disengage from patients, impact staff morale, and ultimately leave their organizations. More importantly, quality of care may also suffer and medical errors increase.

Physician disengagement also hits the bottom line. According to the American Medical Association, replacing a single physician can cost between $500,000 and $1 million. And burned-out physicians may increase healthcare costs and decrease patient satisfaction. Ultimately this results in lost revenue and loss of social currency.

A Smart Investment

As hospitals and healthcare systems plan for the future, retaining high-quality, satisfied physicians will only grow in importance. Coaching represents a supportive, tangible, and mutually beneficial investment. It signals that organizations value their physicians as people, not just as interchangeable “providers.”

While coaching alone cannot resolve the systemic challenges in healthcare, when used as part of a comprehensive strategy it can:

• Improve patient care and satisfaction

• Strengthen teamwork and communication

• Foster a healthier, more resilient workforce

• Enhance physician well-being

As healthcare systems position themselves for the future, investing in physicians well-being is both sound strategy and good business.

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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.

Dressing to Inspire Confidence: My Kevin MD Podcast Conversation

An earlier version of this post appeared on this website in March, 2024

On my podcast appearance with Kevin Pho, M.D., we explored a topic that often gets overlooked in medicine: how the way you dress shapes the way that you’re perceived. Although we’d all like to believe that it’s only our skills and knowledge that matter, the reality is that patients, colleagues, and staff naturally form impressions based on what you wear and how you wear it.

Think about it: are your administrators walking around in scrubs? Probably not. They understand that clothing and presentation are part of the unspoken language of leadership and professionalism. You don’t have to like it, but it’s important to understand that there is power in dressing the part. My medical school dean emphasized this lesson back in the 1980s, and while it’s not always taught now, it’s just as relevant today. Like your administrators, he knew that the way you present yourself can convey competence and confidence.

It’s not just outdated speculation. Research suggests that physicians, especially women, are often judged by their appearance as much as their expertise. While this reality can feel frustrating, it also highlights an opportunity: by being intentional about how you dress, you can signal approachability, credibility, and professionalism before you even say a word.

At the same time, professionalism doesn’t have to come at the expense of your comfort or authenticity. In fact, when you feel at ease in what you wear, that confidence translates into how you show up in the exam room, with your team, and in every professional interaction.

In my article on the KevinMD website and in the podcast episode, I offer practical, low-stress ways to dress in a way that aligns with who you are, and how you want to show up. And I share the story of the dapper Dean of Students at Vanderbilt whose exhortations on the importance of attire inspired this article.

Curious to learn more? You can listen to my full conversation with Dr. Kevin Pho below, or find it wherever you get your podcasts.

What if You Don’t Know What You Want Next: A Physician’s Guide to Finding Direction

An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in March 2024.

As a physician, you've poured years of your life into your profession. You spend the better part of your waking hours staying current on the latest research, honing your skills, serving your patients with compassion and care, and being a supportive teammate to your colleagues and staff.

But, like many doctors, there may come a time in your professional trajectory when you feel a need for change and a yearning for something different. Maybe you feel stuck, unfulfilled, or underappreciated. Or perhaps you simply crave a change of scenery.

In this article, I’ll give you some strategies that will help you to gain clarity and direction when you’re not sure what you want next.

Why Uncertainty Feels So Hard

Even when your current trajectory feels all wrong, it may be difficult to envision what change should or could look like. From medical school to residency and beyond, your path up to this point has probably been clearly marked. As you reached one milestone, the next was likely in view. That’s one reason that making your own way can feel like such a steep climb.

There’s a certain comfort and predictability in following the well-worn trail, no matter how strenuous. For many people that is the right choice. But at some point you may find yourself longing to choose your own direction, or set your own pace. Whether you're considering changing the way you practice, adjusting your working hours, exploring opportunities outside of clinical medicine, or even contemplating retirement, the uncertainty can be daunting.

It’s very easy to get stuck at this point, instead of recognizing that this period of unease is often the first step in a new direction.

Seven Strategies to Move Forward

Although it’s important to think things through, I’m a firm believer in the adage that action creates clarity. Action however, does not have to mean commitment or a big shift. Sometimes that can even be dangerous, especially when you haven’t planned for the obstacles ahead. Giving yourself time and space to actively explore what is possible can make your next steps more clear.

If you’re feeling like you’ve come to a standstill, here are some ideas that can help pull you out of the rut and find some serious traction that will move you forward.

🥾Reconnect with Your Core Values

Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you, both personally and professionally. What are your core values? What values do you want your career and life to reflect?

Understanding what drives you and what you hope to achieve can provide valuable insight into the direction you should take. If you’re unclear on how to express your personal values, my Values Workbook can help.

🥾Inventory Your Strengths and Interests

Think about what energizes you in your current work. Which skills do you enjoy using most? Are there interests outside of medicine that you’d like to explore more deeply?

Sometimes asking yourself “What lights me up?” is enough to spark new ideas. Don’t be afraid to consider possibilities that may not obviously relate to the practice of medicine. At this point in the process, curious inquiry does not mean commitment.

Mind mapping or journaling can often help connect your passions with new possibilities.

🥾Seek Guidance and Perspective

Reach out to mentors and trusted colleagues. Each one of us has our own story, but a mentor can give you valuable insight and may even open doors to new opportunities.

You might also choose to work with a coach. A coach will give you a safe space to explore and reflect, and the process can provide valuable insights that can help you get out of your own way. While a coach will not tell you what to do next, coaching will support you as you uncover your own answers.

🥾Explore and Experiment

If you're unsure of the direction you want to take, allow yourself to try out new experiences. Attend a conference, volunteer for something meaningful to you, take a course, or explore an interest that excites you. These experiences don’t have to directly connect to medicine. Exploration itself often reveals what truly resonates.

🥾Stay Flexible

Your path doesn't have to follow a straight line. It's okay to pivot or investigate new opportunities at any stage of your life. Be true to yourself, but keep in mind that it’s always a good idea not to burn any bridges along the way.

When you embrace flexibility, you’ll often find unexpected and even surprising opportunities.

🥾Take Small Steps

Thinking about a major change can feel overwhelming, especially for physicians. More than most other professions, we often feel defined by the work that we do.

You don't have to have all the answers right away. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, and focus on consistent and purposeful action. If your goals change through the process, all the better.

🥾 Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself as you navigate change. It's normal to feel uncertain or indecisive during big transitions. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that it's okay not to have all the answers.

Moving Ahead

As a physician, you already embody resilience, dedication, and resourcefulness. Those same qualities will serve you as you explore what comes next. By aligning with your values, experimenting with new possibilities, and giving yourself grace in the process, you’ll create space for clarity, renewal, and purposeful action.

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