Audio remastered May 2025
<a href='https://www.leanblog.org/2015/09/podcast-230-paul-dechant-md-mba-on-reducing-burnout-through-lean/'>Episode page</a>
Joining me for episode #230 is Paul DeChant, MD, MBA to talk about reducing burnout, especially physician burnout, through Lean. Paul (see his bio here) is the former CEO of Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, a 300-physician multispecialty medical group in California's Central Valley. Before that, he had stints at organizations including Geisinger Health System and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He is now a consultant and executive coach for Simpler Healthcare. For a link to this episode, refer people to <a href='http://www.leanblog.org/230.'>www.leanblog.org/230. </a>
In the podcast, we talk about questions and topics including: Tell us about your career... how did you get involved in healthcare leadership and how did you get exposed to Lean? What problems or opportunities were you trying to address with Lean? How did you see your role and participation as CEO? As a physician leader? You recently wrote a blog post "why is physician engagement even an issue?" How would you describe the current state of life for an MD before Lean? Can Lean help prevent burnout for MDs or others? Is there a point where somebody gets "too burned out" and can't be turned?

Audio remastered May 2025 Episode page Joining me for episode #230 is Paul DeChant, MD, MBA to talk about reducing burnout, especially physician burnout, through Lean. Paul (see his bio here) is the former CEO of Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, a 300-physician multispecialty medical group in California's Central Valley. Before that, he had stints at organizations including Geisinger Health System and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He is now a consultant and executive coach for Simpler Healthcare. For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/230. In the podcast, we talk about questions and topics including: Tell us about your career... how did you get involved in healthcare leadership and how did you get exposed to Lean? What problems or opportunities were you trying to address with Lean? How did you see your role and participation as CEO? As a physician leader? You recently wrote a blog post "why is physician engagement even an issue?" How would you describe the current state of life for an MD before Lean? Can Lean help prevent burnout for MDs or others? Is there a point where somebody gets "too burned out" and can't be turned?

Audio remastered May 2025
<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/2015/09/podcast-230-paul-dechant-md-mba-on-reducing-burnout-through-lean/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Episode page</a>
Joining me for episode #230 is Paul DeChant, MD, MBA to talk about reducing burnout, especially physician burnout, through Lean. Paul (see his bio here) is the former CEO of Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, a 300-physician multispecialty medical group in California's Central Valley. Before that, he had stints at organizations including Geisinger Health System and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. He is now a consultant and executive coach for Simpler Healthcare. For a link to this episode, refer people to <a href="http://www.leanblog.org/230." rel="noopener noreferrer">www.leanblog.org/230. </a>
In the podcast, we talk about questions and topics including: Tell us about your career... how did you get involved in healthcare leadership and how did you get exposed to Lean? What problems or opportunities were you trying to address with Lean? How did you see your role and participation as CEO? As a physician leader? You recently wrote a blog post "why is physician engagement even an issue?" How would you describe the current state of life for an MD before Lean? Can Lean help prevent burnout for MDs or others? Is there a point where somebody gets "too burned out" and can't be turned?

* Paul DeChant, MD, MBA on Reducing Burnout Through Lean

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leancast.org">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leanblog.org">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer">mark@leanblog.org </a>

Business

Management

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more. What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization. Topics include: Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level Leadership behaviors that support real change Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you. Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning. Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a href="https://www.leancast.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a href="https://www.leanblog.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer">mark@leanblog.org&nbsp;</a>

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* Paul DeChant, MD, MBA on Reducing Burnout Through Lean

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