Succeed in Medicine Ep448 - Creating a Healthier Medical Culture: A Conversation with Dr. Colin West
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Burnout and distress are pervasive in medicine, but improving physician well-being requires more than just resilience training and pizza parties. In this episode, Dr. Colin West shares the latest research on physician burnout, highlighting how workplace culture significantly impacts well-being. He and Dr. Bradley Block discuss the flawed "just tough it out" mindset ingrained in medical training, the systemic factors that contribute to distress, and the importance of aligning work with meaning, values, and purpose (MVPs) to maintain fulfillment in a medical career.
They also explore practical solutions for physicians in various practice settings, from small groups to large institutions, emphasizing how addressing inefficiencies and reducing administrative burdens can enhance both job satisfaction and patient care. The conversation covers the role of coaching, social connection, and leadership in fostering a healthier medical culture, offering valuable insights for individual physicians and healthcare leaders alike.
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Three Actionable Takeaways:
- Burnout is not an individual problem—it’s systemic: While personal coping strategies help, real change requires addressing workplace inefficiencies, excessive administrative burdens, and leadership approaches.
- Well-being initiatives must go beyond surface-level fixes: Yoga and mindfulness have value, but true solutions require structural changes like reducing unnecessary tasks and fostering social connections.
- Investing in physician well-being benefits everyone: When doctors are supported, they perform better, stay in their jobs longer, and deliver higher-quality patient care.
About the Show:
The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for the real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!
About the Guest:
Dr. Colin P. West is a Professor of Medicine, Medical Education, and Biostatistics at Mayo Clinic, specializing in internal medicine. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of Iowa. Dr. West's research focuses on physician well-being, burnout, and evidence-based medicine. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and co-chaired the 2019 National Academy of Medicine consensus study on clinician burnout.
Website: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/west-colin-p-m-d-ph-d/bio-00027800
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-west-57821b82/
About the Host:
Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts the Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians.
Want to be a guest? Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!
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Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow!
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.