✨ Welcome back to The Whole Physician Podcast! ✨

Are you feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed, or struggling to set boundaries in your medical practice? You’re not alone. Today, we’re diving deep into compassion fatigue—what it is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to combat it so you can thrive in both your career and personal life.

💡 Why acknowledging your feelings (instead of suppressing them) can actually reduce burnout
💡 The power of boundary setting—and how saying “no” is sometimes the best way to say “yes” to yourself
💡 How organizational interventions (like adjusted schedules and wellness programs) can improve both patient care and physician well-being
💡 Why simply “taking a break” isn’t enough—filling your cup with the right activities is key
💡 How shifting from “fixing everything” to compassionate support can protect your energy and peace

✅ Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential for being the best doctor, parent, and human you can be.
✅ Your values matter—align your time and energy with what truly fulfills you.
✅ You don’t have to do it all—delegation and teamwork are powerful tools for sustainability.
✅ Small changes create big results—even a 5-minute mindfulness break can make a difference!

What’s one small action you can take today to prioritize your well-being? A walk? A quiet moment with coffee? A conversation with a colleague? Whatever it is, we’d love to hear about it!

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🎧 Join us next time as we explore resilience-building strategies for healthcare professionals. Until then, remember:
👉 You are whole.
👉 You are a gift to medicine.
👉 The work you do matters.

 Scientific References:

Figley, C.R. (1995). Compassion Fatigue: Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder in Those Who Treat the Traumatized.

Hojat, M., et al. (2009). "Empathy in Medical Education and Patient Care: An Overview." Academic Medicine.

Cocker, F., & Joss, N. (2016). "Compassion Fatigue: A Meta-Analysis." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management.”

Resources:

Mission Resource Network 

Free Video: "How to Crush Physician Burnout (for Good) without Cutting Back Hours, Quitting Medicine, or 'Sucking It Up' in Silence"