I’m continuing to highlight the takeaways from the Careers in FM Blog Series over the past four months. Last week, I highlighted two major themes – Career Trajectory and Mentorship. Under the heading of finding/creating fulfillment and joy, we find the following themes throughout the 15 fulfilled family physicians’ foundations:

Connection with Patients. Most family physicians (and physicians in general) find a real richness in connecting with their patients. Here...

We are in a three-week series called Action Needed for the Wellbeing of Medicine. Last week we covered well-being from an organizational standpoint because we know that 80% of the contributors toward burnout are related to the systems.  Today we are shifting our focus to the 20% that we have some control over to prevent and treat burnout and improve our own wellbeing.

First, let me start by saying I know you are already resilient. The rigorous process of premed, MCAT, medical...

This week, we are finally moving on in our series to the second key component for physicians' psychological health. Relatedness - a sense of belonging and connection - is critical, not only in team relations but in your personal mental fitness. Brené Brown has described belonging as the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity. It is connected to positive, lasting, and significant interpersonal relationships.

Relatedness...

I was a second-year resident on my pediatric emergency medicine month. I had worked enough shifts to become comfortable with the duties, the nurses, and the attendings. I listened to the attending take a radio call and was told they were “bringing in an 8-year-old who is playing possum,” implying that the child was faking an unresponsive state. 

Though comfortable walking into any room by this point, I still experienced some anxiety while waiting for a patient arriving...