When it comes to the struggle for work-life balance as a physician, there are no easy answers. The pressure to see more patients in a day—no matter whether you’re an independent physician or employed by a health system—is intense. For primary care physicians, who see the rise in chronic and complex disease and know it will take longer than a 15-minute appointment to determine the right treatment, there is a mental and physical toll that comes with quarterbacking a patient’s care. But what if we’re thinking about the solution in the wrong way? What if the answer is less about the need to overcome generational attitudes toward work and more about making the right investments in technologies and creating advanced new care models that can help everyone connect the dots for better care, faster? The “Primary Care Quarterback” needs a robust team that is technology-enabled and data-driven. Managing consumers’ needs and their health risk has to be done through a comprehensive team led by the primary care provider. The technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. And consumers’ expectations and level of engagement continue to rapidly change as well. Hence, health systems must commit to investing in new care models that will be deployed through the hands of employed primary care physicians. Independent physicians, meanwhile, would benefit from partnerships—with technology vendors, private equity firms, or even with each other—that could propel innovations for advanced primary care. What’s your take? How can we strike the right balance for better care without burnout? #primarycare #burnout #physicians #healthtech #worklifebalance #chronicdisease #healthcare #leadership The Wall Street Journal Te-Ping Chen Mary Tilak MD, MBA
Dr. Mary Tilak & Associates’ Post
More Relevant Posts
-
The next generation of physicians is reshaping healthcare by prioritizing work-life balance and well-being. As one doctor put it, “We have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of other people.” Young doctors are challenging traditional workaholic norms, advocating for flexibility, and leveraging technology to reduce administrative burdens. These changes aim to create a sustainable environment where physicians can thrive personally and professionally, ensuring the best care for their patients. Te-Ping Chen, thanks for highlighting these important changes! #balance #workforcewellbeing #recruithireheal https://lnkd.in/emumGJHM
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
The Challenge of Balance in Medicine: Insights from Josh Honaker, MD Burnout and work-life balance are reshaping the healthcare workforce, and the discussion isn’t limited to recruitment and retention. At Ancore Health, our Chief Medical Officer, Josh Honaker, MD, MBA, FAAP, offers his perspective: "We continue to hear from leaders (clinical and non-clinical) that burnout and lifestyle balance are big barriers to recruitment and retention. I tend to see these as even bigger barriers to physicians' interest and capacity to be at the table of the business side of medicine. To strike a balance, medical group leaders will have to listen to all generations, value their contributions, and find ways for them to be engaged as partners." Dr. Honaker emphasizes the need for a balanced perspective: "In my opinion, having been at the bedside and table of leadership, I think there is a balance to be had between both extremes; it is a calling, it’s a hard job, and one has to take care of their health and have time for self, family, and friends." This topic, also highlighted in this recent Wall Street Journal article, challenges leaders in healthcare to reimagine the roles of physicians—not only as caregivers but as active partners in shaping the future of medicine. How can leaders foster environments where doctors feel empowered to contribute without sacrificing their well-being? Let’s keep the conversation going. https://lnkd.in/ecwS-NHS #BringingPhysiciansBackToTheBusinessTable
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
In my travels over the last two weeks, this topic has been a consistent theme: Balancing newer physicians who are not as motivated by producing wRVUs as their more senior colleagues. Most health systems I spoke with do not hold performance reviews for employed physicians. Work-life balance doesn't mean much if the medical group cannot be financially sustainable. #bringphysiciansbacktothebusinesstable Ancore Health Josh Honaker, MD, MBA, FAAP
The Challenge of Balance in Medicine: Insights from Josh Honaker, MD Burnout and work-life balance are reshaping the healthcare workforce, and the discussion isn’t limited to recruitment and retention. At Ancore Health, our Chief Medical Officer, Josh Honaker, MD, MBA, FAAP, offers his perspective: "We continue to hear from leaders (clinical and non-clinical) that burnout and lifestyle balance are big barriers to recruitment and retention. I tend to see these as even bigger barriers to physicians' interest and capacity to be at the table of the business side of medicine. To strike a balance, medical group leaders will have to listen to all generations, value their contributions, and find ways for them to be engaged as partners." Dr. Honaker emphasizes the need for a balanced perspective: "In my opinion, having been at the bedside and table of leadership, I think there is a balance to be had between both extremes; it is a calling, it’s a hard job, and one has to take care of their health and have time for self, family, and friends." This topic, also highlighted in this recent Wall Street Journal article, challenges leaders in healthcare to reimagine the roles of physicians—not only as caregivers but as active partners in shaping the future of medicine. How can leaders foster environments where doctors feel empowered to contribute without sacrificing their well-being? Let’s keep the conversation going. https://lnkd.in/ecwS-NHS #BringingPhysiciansBackToTheBusinessTable
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
The evolution toward improved work-life balance for physicians is a positive and necessary shift, reflecting the growing recognition that doctors must care for themselves to sustainably care for others. However, while structured hours and reduced burnout are crucial goals, it’s equally essential to consider what might be lost in the process. Medicine has long been driven by a unique sense of purpose—a blend of dedication, resilience, and the personal fulfillment that comes from putting patients first, often regardless of convenience. For a young doctor or surgeon, the “calling” to serve, to heal, and to strive for excellence should remain a central motivator. Prioritizing time management alone risks losing the deep-seated joy and fortune found in the vocation itself. Balancing these objectives—well-being and unwavering commitment—will shape the future of healthcare. Ultimately, it’s about finding harmony where structure enables, rather than replaces, passion.
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
The medical field is evolving — and so are expectations about work-life balance for healthcare providers. With burnout still a critical issue, young healthcare professionals are pushing back against outdated work norms, advocating for predictable schedules, better staffing, and a stronger emphasis on work-life balance. They’re challenging the idea that providing exceptional care must come at the expense of personal well-being. Providers shouldn’t have to choose between doing the work they love and maintaining fulfilling personal lives. Technology like ambient monitoring and AI-driven administrative support can reduce the documentation burden and streamline clinical workflows, allowing healthcare providers to reclaim control over their time. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gud9jzaj
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
How do we bridge the divide and reimagine the way we work...together? The Wall Street Journal's Te-Ping Chen lays out the current clash of beliefs about work and performance that's playing out in healthcare. But, it's a scenario happening across other organizations and industries as well. Answer: 🛑 Stop asking questions that infer a fixed, one-size-fits-all outcome like "how do young doctors have work/life 'balance?'" 💡Instead ask "how can a doctor flexibly fit their work and life together to provide high quality care and maintain their well-being?" then consider the possibilities: ✅ What could that look like for an ER surgeon or anesthesiologist who needs to cover night and weekend shifts versus a hospitalist with a more fixed schedule or a contract-based physician? The answer will depend on the level of doctor and their specialty in a field where people get sick 24/7. One-size-will-NOT-fit-all. ✅ What would you continue from the way things have been done, as described by the more experienced doctors: a sense of "purpose or calling" that isn't used to drive overwork and burnout; deep learning by following a patient's and during a crisis that doesn't always fit neatly into set hours? ✅ What would you start doing from the way things could be done, as described by younger doctors: a recognition that doctor well-being matters, some work could be done virtually and by new AI technology? 👉 Result: The intentional, collaborative process brings the two sides together to define the parameters of a new, high-performing flexible work model that meets the needs of patients and healthcare providers. Challenge: Who's going to call a truce and get that process started? Until then, the stand-off and frustration will continue. (Note: this is another example of why the place-based concept of "hybrid" when applied to doctors would limit innovation. While the "when, where and how" of a broader flexible work model unlocks possibilities across all jobs.) #reimaginework #performance #wellbeing #workflexibility #flexiblework #workmodel #innovation #worklifefit #worklifebalance #hybrid
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
“Now, everything’s changed. Doctors are like any other employee, and that’s how the new generation is behaving.” For physicians, the game has changed. The practice of medicine now is completely different than it was a generation ago. If any sector’s system changes, you would absolutely expect the newly minted workforce to approach their careers differently than those a decade or two older than them. The more we acknowledge and examine these systemic and generational differences, the quicker we can get to constructive solutions for sustainable careers in medicine that will best serve patients. #physicians #medicine #workforce #healthworkforce #meded https://lnkd.in/gAaKd3iZ
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
🚨 Medicine's Culture Clash: Work-Life Balance vs. "That’s Not the Job" For generations, physicians wore their workaholic culture as a badge of honor—sleepless nights, missed family milestones, and answering pagers at all hours. But today’s young doctors are pushing back, prioritizing work-life balance and questioning whether sacrificing personal well-being is necessary to deliver excellent patient care. This shift is sparking conversations—and tensions—between generations of clinicians. Older doctors often view these demands as a departure from medicine’s core values, while younger ones argue that sustainable careers require boundaries. Here’s the reality: Burnout is rampant. Clinicians are leaving the profession. Patients deserve healthy doctors who can show up fully present, and doctors deserve to lead fulfilling lives inside and outside of medicine. This isn’t about “softness” or “entitlement.” It’s about redefining what it means to care for others—and for ourselves. 💡 How do we create a medical culture that honors both dedication to patients and physician well-being? Share your thoughts below! #Healthcare #PhysicianWellness #WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutPrevention #Medicine https://lnkd.in/gud9jzaj
Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.
wsj.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Patients benefit too! Research has shown that a positive work environment, where fun and camaraderie are valued, can lead to better patient outcomes. The impact of fun in healthcare leadership extends beyond staff well-being and organisational performance; it also has implications for patient care. For instance, hospitals that incorporate humor therapy or laughter yoga as part of their care programs have reported improvements in patient mood, pain management, and overall satisfaction. These approaches align with the broader trend of patient-centred care, which emphasises the importance of addressing patients' physical, emotional, and psychological needs. If you want to learn more about creating a positive work environment in your team, get in touch! #HealthcareLeaders #LeadershipTraining #HealthcareProfessionals
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
-
Staying current in the dynamic landscape of Physical Therapy laws and regulations is vital, yet often overlooked. Recent changes in places like Washington, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, and Indiana are shaping the professional field, offering opportunities and challenges alike. From the ability to order diagnostic imaging to increased roles in worker's compensation cases, the role of the Physical Therapist is expected to evolve. Moreover, with new provisions for telehealth and reduced administrative burdens, there's never been a better time to reassess your company's stance on #PhysicalTherapy. Not sure how these changes affect you or how to optimize your operation accordingly? As a seasoned Physical Therapy professional, I can provide insights and tailored solutions so your business stays ahead of the curve. Reach out and let's explore together. #APTA #USHealthLaw #Telehealth #WorkerCompensation
To view or add a comment, sign in