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Physician’s are trained to put patients’ needs above their own at all costs. Sick? Take medicine and power through. Feeling depressed and lethargic? Suck it up and think about the patient’s problems instead of your own. This learned act of putting your own needs to the side time after time causes suffering on both a physical and emotional level.

On the show today to speak about her journey to find balance being a medical professional and healthy human is Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang, a hospice & palliative care physician, mindset & life coach and author. She also hosts The Purpose Filter podcast, which helps living people apply dying lessons before it’s too late.

Like many physicians, Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang’s identity was so wrapped up in medicine that she couldn’t see the other parts of herself. Her position in palliative care was always a difficult and emotional experience, but the COVID-19 pandemic tested her in ways she could have never imagined.

Her time working in New York during the height of the pandemic was marked by a loss of control, leading to panic attacks, excessive crying, and burnout. As she shares on this episode, she experienced suicidal thoughts and was forced to take steps towards healing.

To anyone listening to this interview, Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang wants you to remember that you DO have control over your own life — even if it doesn’t feel that way. You are resilient and you can start living a life in line with your hopes and values!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang’s career journey
• Experiencing burnout and putting the patient before yourself
• The trauma of being a medical professional
• Experiencing suicidal thoughts during the pandemic
• Dr. Sapna Shah-Haque’s advice to anyone dealing with mental health issues
• The type of doctor Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang has always wanted to be
• How therapy helped Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang
• The importance of self-care
• The story of Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang’s mental health worsening during the pandemic
• Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang’s post-traumatic growth
• Final words of wisdom from Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang

This experience is powered by CMEfy – an AI-powered platform that directs learners along a pathway to capture reflections at point of inspiration, point of care. Clinicians may earn CME/CE credit via ReflectCE, the accredited activity portal. https://earnc.me/N09rlZ

Find out more about Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang:

Website

Instagram

Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician.


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