When I was working full time in emergency medicine, I didn’t think much about the systems in my personal life. I had just enough clarity to show up for the next shift, keep my kid fed, work out, stay married, and try to remember where I parked th…
Category: Psychiatry
Medicalizing burnout misses the real problem
The solution to the physician burnout crisis isn’t more diagnoses or interventions. The antidote isn’t more modules, surveys, screenings, or questionnaires. What’s needed is cultural healing: One that we have so far been unwilling and…
Why some doctors age gracefully—and others grow bitter
“Some people learn. Some don’t. For the former, growing old is a joy. For the latter, it is hell.” I’ve seen both. In exam rooms, break rooms, ORs, and coaching sessions. One physician softens—more present, less defended. Another hard…
How the cycle of rage is affecting physicians—and how to break free
Disclosure: This should not be considered as evidence-based mental health literature. These are the observations of a surgeon with extensive experience being angry. Introduction Many physicians are finding themselves strained from ongoing sociopolitica…
Why ADHD in adults is often missed—and why it matters [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Anesthesiologist Maire Daugharty, who expanded her expertise by earning a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, discusses her article “Why ADHD…
Understanding the ethical injury of moral distress in clinicians [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Licensed clinical psychologist and health care ethicist Jenny Shields discusses her article, “DSM-5 doesn’t name it, but moral distress is everywhere in medici…
Why real growth in psychotherapy takes time, courage, and teamwork
What is the purpose of psychotherapy? What are the goals? Psychotherapy is a talking process between a patient and a psychotherapist that involves looking at feelings, behaviors, impulses, and thoughts through a process of self-reflection. The purpose …
The hidden war on doctors: Understanding administrative violence
Administrative violence in medicine is often understood as harm to patients due to systemic issues; however, administrative violence in medicine is also a process used to inflict harm on physicians, destabilizing the medical field on both systemic and …
How medical culture hides burnout in plain sight
I remember the first time I was shamed for asking a question. It was during my OB/GYN clinical rotation in PA school. I asked my attending physician something about a patient, not out of laziness, but because I genuinely needed clarity. But instead of …
Gaslighting and professional licensing: a call for reform
Gaslighting manifests in many forms. The most common may be political fights involving the extreme positions on any controversial issue (e.g., gun control, abortion, immigration, you name it). One extreme faction claims they have the truth and blames t…
