Here's how you can discover a sense of purpose in your physician work to avoid burnout.

One way to discover meaning in your work is to look for moments when you have made a positive difference in the lives of your patients. For example, you might think of a time you helped a patient overcome a difficult illness, or when you had an important conversation with a patient that made them feel supported and understood. By highlighting these moments and reflecting on how you have positively impacted the lives of those around you, you can be inspired and reignite your purpose as a physician, thus avoiding burnout.

This cannot be overemphasized.. introspection works like magic! Remembering your 'whys' can keep you ahead irrespective of the challenges,your where and what. Every doctor should have a clear and coincided vision statement.

Discovering a sense of purpose in your physician work to avoid burnout involves focusing on the positive impact you make on patients' lives and finding joy in small victories. Reflect on your core values and align your daily tasks with them, ensuring your work feels meaningful. Seek continuous learning opportunities to keep your passion alive, and build strong connections with colleagues for support. Balance your professional and personal life, and practice self-care to maintain overall well-being.

As physicians we are so focused on helping others, we tend to neglect the one person who is with us from the moment we are born to the moment we die: ourselves. The only way to learn more about yourself is by doing deep. Take the time to work with a therapist or coach. There's no shame in that: you are only human like the rest of us. Find out who you truly are and what makes you truly tick. Only when you know and understand yourself, can you truly help others (i.e. your patients) become better versions of themselves as well.

Learn to say no when you feel like you can't take on any extra tasks or responsibilities, thus protecting your time and energy. It is important to recognize your limits and respect them. Consider joining support groups for doctors or self-help seminars that deal with stress management and burnout prevention. Get support and advice from your peers. Decide not to respond to work emails or phone calls outside of your working hours by clearly specifying when your work starts and ends. Incorporate activities that bring you joy and satisfaction such as hobbies, exercise, games with friends and family, or anything else that makes you happy.

Physicians are some of the worst people when it comes to setting boundaries. Got 5 minutes between patients? Sure, let's schedule a phone call. 30 minute lunch break? Let's schedule that meeting. Stop it! Learn to say "no." You must have time for yourself. Set clear boundaries around yourself and your personal time. If you are at your kids recital, don't answer that phone call. If you're not on call, don't answer that phone call. If you're on vacation, don't answer that phone call. If you don't even know where you begin or end, others will keep taking from you until there is nothing left of you.

As physicians, we are trained and conditioned to be a one-person show. "This is your patient, your responsibility, your problem, you have to find the solution." But life doesn't work that way. We are not meant to live this life in isolation: we are meant to live together, work together, love together, grow together. Find like-minded individuals (whether they be physicians or not) to create a support community for your own personal and professional growth.

Commit to a continuous learning process. You can explore new treatment approaches, learn about the latest scientific findings, or even gain expertise in a new field. An alternative approach is to join a group that provides psychological support and sharing experiences. This group may consist of other physicians experiencing similar challenges and anxieties. At the meetings of this group, you can openly share your thoughts and feelings with other health professionals who understand the challenges of medical practice. Through these meetings, you can receive support, gain new perspectives and discover ways to manage stress and burnout.

The more I learn, the less I know. What I was taught in medical school has already been proved incorrect countless numbers of times. We have to remain curious and open to new ideas and thoughts all the time in order to stay relevant and adapt to our changing world and environments. You don't know everything. Nor will you ever. But try to keep up!

As physicians, we are constantly in the service of others. We are great at helping others get better, healthier, improve, etc. But as a result we tend to neglect the one person who is with us from moment we are born to the moment we die: ourselves. In order to be the best version of yourself to help others in the best ways possible, you must take care of yourself. Schedule this time in your calendar and don't compromise. Just as you would not answer a phone call when you are with a patient, don't answer a call when you are at your kids events, at the gym, or on vacation.

What you can do in practice: -Take care of your physical health: Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. -Maintain your mental health: Make time for relaxation and activities you enjoy. Talk to a friend, family member, or therapist if you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed. -Create healthy boundaries: Don't be afraid to say no to extra tasks or responsibilities that could drain you. -Ask for support: Don't be ashamed to ask for help from colleagues, mentors or other health professionals.

One way is to participate in volunteer work programs in communities in need, offering your medical knowledge and skills. Seeing people's reactions when they receive help and recognizing the importance of your contribution can boost your sense of fulfillment and remind you of the important role you play in the community and people's lives.