FHC #154: Handling pressure in medicine with tips for doctors, leaders

Fixing Healthcare Podcast

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, cardiologist and well-being advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher joins healthcare leader Dr. Robert Pearl and host Jeremy Corr to explore how healthcare professionals handle stress and what can be learned from other high-stakes fields like athletics.

The trio delves into various aspects of pressure in medical practice, comparing it to the intensity athletes experience in major sporting events. Drawing on their own medical experiences, they discuss how clinicians can find the right balance to achieve peak performance while maintaining their mental and physical health.

The show’s primary topics include:

• Understanding pressure in healthcare. Dr. Fisher explains the concept of “good” vs. “bad” pressure, citing research that shows the impact of too much stress on cognitive function and patient care. He draws parallels to the “Yerkes-Dodson” curve, which suggests an optimal level of stress for peak performance.
• Impact of external pressures. Drs. Pearl and Fisher talk about the variety of pressures doctors face today, from financial and administrative burdens to life-and-death decisions that impact patient care. They consider how these pressures affect different medical specialties and the importance of balancing professional demands with personal well-being.
• Lessons from athletics. Dr. Fisher reflects on how athletes manage social and performance pressures, comparing it to the scrutiny doctors face in healthcare settings. He emphasizes that, like athletes, healthcare professionals need to understand and manage both internal and external expectations to prevent burnout and sustain their careers.
• Leadership and support in high-stakes environments. Dr. Pearl shares insights from his experience leading Kaiser Permanente, highlighting the role of supportive leadership in helping clinicians manage pressure effectively. The discussion also addresses the importance of team dynamics and creating a culture where medical professionals feel empowered and defended in their roles.

To hear more about how to manage pressure in the workplace, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

• ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)
• ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)
• Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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