For nearly two decades, I sat in meetings, listened to leadership discussions, and navigated the institutional maze of advocating for funding for physician wellness programs. I saw the hesitation. The skepticism. The “we don’t have the budg…
Category: Psychiatry
When health care professionals lose everything
Mid-step on the sky bridge, boarding my flight—the message lands. Raw. Desperate. A life breaking apart in real time: “I’ve been in health care my entire life. Surgical services. Because I spoke up against wrongdoing, stood up for myself, I…
From heroes to burnout: How we failed our frontline health workers
An excerpt from Health Care Nation. Of all the lessons learned from fighting a pandemic, none was more frightening or important than discovering how dependent the system is on how we treat our doctors, nurses, and frontline caregivers. They were alread…
How a customer relationship management tool (CRM) can help physicians regain control and beat burnout
As physicians, we dedicate our lives to helping others. We spend years training to diagnose, treat, and care for patients with a dream of feeling valued and helpful. Then, one day we find ourselves feeling increasingly overwhelmed by administrative wor…
Why I refuse to hide my emotions in a world afraid of love
I’m only sharing this story today to illustrate something about myself and my perspective on love: being expressive with it. I am not discussing only romantic love here. I’m talking about the affection we have for so many individuals around…
Why brutal honesty often backfires and what to do instead
A few years ago, I visited my brother and his family while I was still in school. I had run out of cash and needed to top up before starting our end-of-semester exams. My sister-in-law, a virtuous woman well-loved in our family, invited me to join her …
Why ADHD kids struggle and how we can truly help
How do I talk to my kid about ADHD? You’re not alone. Your child’s pediatrician should be your first stop in this journey. As a neurospicy pediatric neurologist with an ADHD child, this is how I discuss this topic with my patients and their…
The future of psychiatry: How AI and genetics are reshaping mental health care
The field of psychiatry is in greater demand than ever in the 21st century. As our lifestyles evolve and the global economy becomes increasingly knowledge-based, psychiatry plays a crucial role in enhancing and optimizing cognitive and emotional functi…
Combating cognitive dissonance in medicine
The definition of cognitive dissonance is a feeling of mental discomfort when one holds contradictory beliefs, attitudes, or values. As physicians navigate the complex waters of medical practice, the core philosophy of patient-centered care often clash…
Spreading hope one card at a time: How small acts of kindness can make a big difference for doctors
As Doctors’ Day on March 30 approaches, we are reminded of the incredible impact physicians have on our lives. But there is something often overlooked—the emotional toll the profession takes. Physicians give so much of themselves, yet their emoti…
