Navigating the path from physician burnout to career balance

Internal medicine physician Kara Pepper discusses her article, "From burnout to balance: 5 stages of career transformation." Drawing from her own journey away from burnout and her experience coaching hundreds of physicians, she outlines five predictable stages doctors often traverse when seeking more autonomy, purpose, and sustainability in their work. Kara describes the progression from Stage 1: Stuck, where burnout feels inescapable, through Stage 2: Noticing, acknowledging the need for change and identifying misalignments; Stage 3: Discovery, actively exploring alternatives and embracing self-compassion; Stage 4: Data Collection, analyzing options like job adjustments or starting a practice and addressing practicalities like finances; to Stage 5: Action, making concrete moves toward a new career path. Throughout the conversation, Kara offers actionable advice for each stage, such as seeking external support, identifying core values, researching possibilities, planning meticulously, and surrounding oneself with supportive peers, ultimately encouraging physicians to take manageable steps toward creating a career that aligns with their well-being. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended