Episode 052: Bringing Joy to Medicine with Dr. Amaryllis Sanchez Wohlever

Physician wellness has come to the forefront today as health systems deal with ever increasing numbers of physicians dealing with mental illness and even suicide. There is no shortage of explanations nor ways the health systems are trying to fix these docs. Dr. Sanchez Wohlever has personally dealt with burnout and offers her own prescription for solving the problem. Its systematic approach is both simple and personal.

Unfortunately, for those seeking a one size fits all algorithm, Dr. Wohlever makes the case that helping these physicians requires an individualized solution. It begins with self reflection and the physician finding what it is that he or she really needs. Sometimes that isn't easy to figure out so the best step is to start with something very small. Usually that means examining your day and finding some small change to your routine that lets you take control or fix something that causes you frustration. Maybe that is clumping patient questions into three times a day rather than a constant interruption throughout your office hours. Whatever the specific solution, her book offers many strategies and techniques.

As you work your way through the book, Dr. Sanchez Wohlever offers other ways to help physicians not only straighten out their own personal and professional lives, but ways to help others. This is through either personal relationships with colleagues or political action in medical societies. Using her upbeat and positive attitude, Dr. Sanchez Wohlever can't help but inspire the reader to take action and improve physician wellness.