Critical Care Time 62. Burnout & Moral Injury
Nov 17, 2025
Dr. Venktesh Ramnath, a pulmonary and critical care physician and expert on clinician burnout, dives into the pressing issues of moral injury and burnout in healthcare. He discusses the impact of misinformation and technology on clinician stress, and stresses the importance of rebuilding trust through honest communication. Venktesh offers practical strategies for combating burnout, highlighting self-compassion and teamwork as vital tools. He encourages healthcare professionals to embrace their limits and pursue wellness beyond just health.
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When Cost Outweighs Survival
- A patient's spouse asked if he would have to sell his house so his wife could get lifesaving amputation care.
- Venktesh Ramnath used this to illustrate how financial stress overrides survival concerns for many patients.
Four Pressures Shaping Modern Physicians
- Modern physicians face four overlapping pressures: information overload, rapid tech, fragmented care networks, and financial complexity.
- Venktesh calls for physicians to become 'health architects' who integrate these domains to regain agency.
Use Structured Communication To Build Trust
- Use a repeatable, evidence-informed communication process for family meetings to build trust quickly.
- Prioritize building trust over pushing a specific decision in order to enable future shared decision-making.
