Q: I’m having a family crisis and it’s causing me huge stress. How should I handle this at work? A: Don’t abandon work without explanation or a coverage plan. Discuss the situation immediately with your partners or work supervisor and work out a plan to cover clinical responsibilities while youRead More

Q: I’m overwhelmed by communication. The phone is always ringing, and everyone is always interrupting me. It’s stressful! How can I handle this better? A: What you’re describing is the struggle of constant availability. I got rid of my pager and my iPhone is generally on do not disturb. PeopleRead More

Q: How do I talk to my family about how stressed I am? A: Make sure the phones are off. Start by stating, “I want to talk about what’s happening to me. I need to share something with you right now. I’m really feeling stressed.” Use “I” statements like, “IRead More

Q: I know I could use some help dealing with stress, but I feel embarrassed to admit it. What’s holding me back? A: Doctors feel they must be self-reliant, unemotional when treating patients or in front of colleagues, and not admit they don’t know something. These characteristics are drilled intoRead More

Q: Why am I so miserable in my job? I’ve worked on work-life balance issues, but I can’t seem to find a way to a better place. A: This could be a poor job fit. Your job may not suit your personality or value set. It might have been aRead More

Q: We have a meditation room. Is that going to prevent burnout? A: While some healthcare organizations are beginning to recognize the problem of burnout, many are simply offering gimmicks: changing the food in the cafeteria, telling physicians to sleep and exercise more, or providing meditation rooms that no oneRead More