Looking Forward

Filling our cups : A reflection on physician wellness

“Rule Number Three: At a cardiac arrest, the first procedure is to take your own pulse.”

By Anmol Pardal, OMS IV

02.07.25

In his satirical masterpiece “The House of God,” Samuel Shem poignantly captures the trials of medical internship, illustrating the tremendous emotional and physical demands of medical training. Through his vivid narrative, Shem critiques the entrenched normalization of an excessively demanding work culture and questions the complacency with which such conditions were accepted at the time. Although the novel emerged in the 1970s—an era marked by rampant bureaucracy and unregulated work hours—its core message resonates profoundly today. It serves as a powerful reminder that physicians must first fill their own cup—nurturing their well-being and resilience—to pour compassionate care into the lives of others

Fast forward to 2024, an era marked by overwhelming clerical burdens, rigid performance metrics and the residual moral injury inflicted by a global pandemic. The health care landscape continues to demand more with fewer resources, raising the question: has physician wellness finally risen to the forefront of the agenda? The answer, encouragingly, is yes. Through experience and introspection, it has become evident that fostering wellness cannot rest solely on the shoulders of individual health care providers. Instead, it must be embraced as a shared responsibility among organizations, hospitals and physicians themselves.

Wellness: Starting from within

In a profession historically rooted in the principle of holistic care, including care for the physician, a profound paradigm shift has emerged. The osteopathic philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit—not just for patients but for practitioners as well. In this context, two professionals share their insights and strategies for integrating self-care into their demanding lives, ensuring they can provide compassionate, high-quality care.

  • Linsey Gugerty, DO, a busy third-year obstetrics and gynecology resident, shares how she integrates wellness practices into her demanding schedule: “Maintaining wellness during residency is a deliberate practice that starts with prioritizing physical health. I make it a point to exercise several times a week, regardless of how hectic my schedule becomes. Social connections are equally important; I ensure I spend quality time with friends and family, even if it requires planning months in advance. Setting boundaries has also been crucial—I strive to stop working by a set time each evening, dedicating the hours before bed to non-work-related activities that help me unwind and recharge.”
  • Sakina Divan, OMS IV, a student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM), shares how the practice of mindfulness has assisted her in achieving wellness: “I began incorporating mindfulness into my routine during a particularly challenging period at the start of my fourth year of medical school. Feeling overwhelmed by situations beyond my control, I decided to enroll in a four-week Koru Mindfulness course, which emphasized gratitude and mindful meditation. Since completing the course, I have made mindfulness a daily practice. Each morning, I identify and journal two things I’m grateful for, and I end my day with a 5–10-minute meditation session using techniques such as walking meditation or belly breathing. During particularly stressful moments, I take advantage of brief, 3–5-minute guided medications offered by the Koru mindfulness app, which helps me focus on the present without judgement. Overall, mindfulness has provided me with effective tools to navigate periods of stress and maintain a sense of balance.”

Shared responsibility

An editorial by Thomas Schwenk powerfully underscored the urgency of addressing environmental and systemic challenges, drawing a parallel between physicians and the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.” The call for change at institutional and organizational levels was clear, prompting the implementation of transformative measures. For example, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) now requires residency programs to incorporate wellness education and activities into their curricula. Hospitals have also introduced initiatives such as dedicated “wellness rooms,” more flexible scheduling policies and enhanced access to mental health and counseling services. These efforts reflect a growing acknowledgment that the resilience of the health care system is intrinsically linked to the well-being of its caregivers.

Value of Leadership

Another powerful strategy to combat the growing sense of disconnection among physicians is to encourage their involvement in leadership. Working within the constraints of hospital policies often exposes systemic gaps in care, leaving physicians feeling like workers tasked with meeting organizational demands, rather than autonomous professionals. Leadership roles offer an avenue to reclaim agency, address these gaps and actively shape the health care landscape. My own involvement with state and national organizations has been transformative, allowing me to contribute to meaningful change while fostering a deep sense of purpose and empowerment. Additionally, the connections formed, and the sense of community built through these roles provide a restorative and fulfilling dimension to the experience, proving that leadership not only benefits the system but also nourishes the soul.

Emily Hurst, DO: Words of wisdom

When it comes to leadership and discovering passions beyond the clinical setting for rejuvenation, Emily Hurst, DO, stands out as an inspiring example. As the current president of the Michigan Osteopathic Association, she graciously shared her insights on maintaining wellness while excelling in her many roles with passion, compassion and dedication.

Dr. Hurst (center) poses with colleagues during DO Day on Capitol Hill.

How does this phase of your professional life shape how you manage the stressors you face?

Stressors will come your way that you are unable to anticipate, and I have learned a few things that help me through them. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that what may seem like an insurmountable challenge or stressor, may actually be an opportunity to grow in a different direction. I’ve had several circumstances where I thought I was at the end of the road and all was lost, but it actually forced me to go in a different direction that was 10 times better than where I was to begin with—it’s really hard to see in the moment, but if you are open to seeking another direction, or using the opportunity to take the best of what you had and utilizing those components rebuilt in a different way, your resilience will be much better. All our experiences, both good and bad, shape who we are, and I would not change any of them for the world.

What lessons have you learned through trial and error in maintaining wellness?

Wellness has been a long journey for me. I started in practice when it wasn’t really discussed or considered an item of importance. I went through some major life stressors and recognized I had really worn myself down to nothing, and I couldn’t possibly give to my patients and family if I couldn’t first even take care of myself. I didn’t know what that looked like, and then, I was supposed to teach something I had never done or done well to my students! I try to practice what I preach, so have been working on that part of my life ever since. I’ve had to learn grace in that I can’t control everything, that it is not only okay, but important to take care of us, and recognize that finding and supporting a purpose-driven life with joy means more than any amount of money that I could ever make. I learned that finding moments of wellness instead of beating myself up for not meeting my wellness goals is what worked for me. I also work to recognize what my body tells me when I’m stressed and particularly pay attention when my body says to slow down or even stop.

If you could share one piece of advice (in a single line) for your peers in health care, what would it be?

Always follow and seek that which you enjoy, it will lead you down a path that arrives in a fulfilling life and career founded in what you love most.

Conclusion: Sustaining the caregiver to sustain the system

The journey toward physician wellness is both personal and collective. As health care professionals navigate the complexities of modern medicine, from unrelenting demands to systemic challenges, the importance of prioritizing well-being cannot be overstated.

In 2024, we stand at a pivotal moment in health care, where wellness is no longer a peripheral concern but a central tenet of professional sustainability. From mindfulness practices to leadership opportunities, institutional reforms to individual strategies, the path forward requires a collaborative commitment to nurturing the healers who sustain our health care systems. By filling their own cups, physicians not only preserve their own vitality but also ensure they can continue to provide compassionate, high-quality care for those who need it most.