The Depleted Doctor: How to Combat Physician Burnout w/ Dr. Yashika Dooley

For many people who have always dreamt of being doctors, the reality of practicing medicine has turned into a nightmare. That’s because of physician burnout, a crisis that continues to be a huge cause for concern.

From overworking and physical depletion to emotional exhaustion and detachment - these are just some of the struggles physicians are faced with on a daily basis. Unlike burnout in other professions, healthcare has in-built structures that make doctors more prone to it and less likely to say they have a problem.

Physician burnout has far reaching effects that make it a public health crisis. Cynical, angry and resentful doctors drive patients away. Doctors who don’t feel engaged are more likely to leave the field altogether. But the biggest problem is burnout is leading to self-harm, addiction and even suicide in physicians.

Why are physicians more prone to burnout? How can we combat it at a personal level and then at the systemic level?

In this episode, I’m joined by board-certified physician Dr Yashika Dooley, who understands firsthand the frustrations and challenges faced by physicians as she works as a Life Coach for physicians, many of who struggle with burnout.

If you’re used to working hard and grinding, you’ll keep leaning on that habit, even if it’s not the best one. You might even feel like you’ll be a failure if you don’t overwork and grind. -Dr. Yashika Dooley 

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Why the dream of medicine is turning into a nightmare
  Combating physician burnout isn’t just a matter of keeping more doctors in their jobs. It’s about saving lives and families. What are some of the huge ramifications of this health crisis? 
• The struggles doctors face
  From the pressures of different specialties to expectations that have nothing to do with quality of care, what systemic structures keep burn out in place?
• Normalized self-neglect
  As physicians, we’re conditioned to avoid showing weakness, even to our own detriment. How do we remove that mask and change what it means to be a good doctor?

Guest Bio

Yashika Dooley is a board certified OBGYN, regional medical director for Gennev and Life Coach for doctors. She helps doctors who are frustrated with the day-to-day challenges of their job feel less stressed, have more control and be more confident in their work and life. To learn more, go to https://www.yashikadooley.com/ and follow @yashikadooley on Instagram.