--- title: Physician Burnout to Physician Wellness - One Doctor at a Time | Pandemic description: Pandemic | Stop Physician Burnout, Build Better Physician Leaders | The Happy MD --- [![Stop-physician-burnout-dike-drummond-physician-leadership-you-can-banner-11-5-2018_opt995W](https://www.thehappymd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stop-physician-burnout-dike-drummond-physician-leadership-you-can-banner-11-5-2018_opt995W-1.jpg?width=995&height=146&name=Stop-physician-burnout-dike-drummond-physician-leadership-you-can-banner-11-5-2018_opt995W-1.jpg "Stop-physician-burnout-dike-drummond-physician-leadership-you-can-banner-11-5-2018_opt995W")](https://www.thehappymd.com) ## **The Creative Destruction of Physician Burnout ** [![prevent doctor burnout matrix](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/263814/da1e787d-095f-4485-9d4d-9a9bc4195d86.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/263814/da1e787d-095f-4485-9d4d-9a9bc4195d86) # [Covid19 Physician Burnout & 6 Phases of Emotional Response to Disaster](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-physician-burnout-and-the-six-phases-of-emotional-response-to-disaster) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/zunin%20and%20meyers%20stages%20of%20emotional%20response%20to%20disaster%20physician%20burnout.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-physician-burnout-and-the-six-phases-of-emotional-response-to-disaster) ## Did you know that your emotional responses to disaster have a known structure and a logical order you will find comforting? I knew about the symptoms of physician burnout, Kubler-Ross and her stages, even stages of quitting smoking, but until today I had never been introduced to *Zunin and Myers *and the **6 Stages of Normal Human Emotional Response to Disaster.** This is a fascinating progression and strikes true for my experience of COVID so far. These stages are intertwined with physician burnout, PTSD and so many other normal and abnormal psychological responses to difficulty and struggle. Tags: [Physician Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-physician-burnout-and-the-six-phases-of-emotional-response-to-disaster) # [Do new UK and SA COVID-19 variants portend a Sneaker Wave in the USA?](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/pandemic-covid19-variants-portend-a-sneaker-wave) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/Covid19-variant-virus-pandemic-sneaker-wave-alert.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/pandemic-covid19-variants-portend-a-sneaker-wave) ## Do not let down your guard or relax coronavirus precautions now: Two Additional Reasons Why. **There is a glimmer of relaxing and relief going on these days.** I had a few happy tears with my first shot of the Moderna vaccine. It would not surprise me if you did too.  You may feel like you can see a light at the end of the tunnel, that we are finally nearing the end of the pandemic.  I don't want to harsh your mellow or be a fear monger here ... AND this appears to be a logistically clear time to keep your guard up.  ============ "*I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going like this*" **Get a Second Opinion** on Your Situation With one of our **Certified Physician Coaches** [Your Discovery Session is No Cost or Obligation](https://www.thehappymd.com/physician-burnout-coach-team) ============ ## **A Sneaker Wave** Tags: [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/pandemic-covid19-variants-portend-a-sneaker-wave) # [Physician Burnout and COVID-19 Stress Survey - 3 Takeaways](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-covid19-stress-survey-3-takeaways) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/4-Medscape-survey-physician-burnout-covid-stress-2020-graphic-large.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-covid19-stress-survey-3-takeaways) [Become an Effective Physician Wellness Champion](https://support.thehappymd.com/quadruple-aim-physician-leadership-retreat-2020) ============ ## Back in *the good old days* - March of this year - recall that physician burnout rates had been hovering in the 40% range for  years. And along comes the Corona. We all feel the additional stress of the current Pandemic chaos - each in our own way. And physicians being scientists at heart, you may have asked, "*is there any research on COVID-19 impact on the pre-existing burnout epidemic in physicians *?" With some recent article/study releases the answer is now "Yes". Tags: [Physician Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-covid19-stress-survey-3-takeaways) # [Stop Physician Burnout - the Pandemic Profit Crater & the Sine Wave Delusion](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-the-pandemic-profit-crater-and-the-sine-wave-delusion) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/Physician-burnout-pandemic-profit-crater-sine-wave-delusion.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-the-pandemic-profit-crater-and-the-sine-wave-delusion) ## Let me show you a classic bean counter leadership delusion that is already increasing front-line physician burnout here in the USA. **The Sine Wave Delusion happens **when a physician leader does not understand patient care and assumes financial losses can be made up easily *if we just spin the doctor hamster wheels fast*er.  Tags: [Physician Leadership](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-leadership), [stop physician burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/stop-physician-burnout), [physician burnout video training](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout-video-training), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/physician-burnout-the-pandemic-profit-crater-and-the-sine-wave-delusion) # [COVID-19 Fake News Tsunami - what do you say to your patients?](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-fake-news-tsunami-what-do-doctors-say-to-your-patients) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/youngshouldershrugwhitefemaledoc.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-fake-news-tsunami-what-do-doctors-say-to-your-patients) ## Most physicians are scientists. We believe in evidence based recommendations and do our best to persuade by logic. Right? Unfortunately, not all humans are scientists. Not all can be persuaded by our Public Health Jedi Mind Tricks.    When fear, deliberate misinformation, conspiracy theories, fake news and partisan politics are pumped into everyone's cell phone at the speed of light --- things get strange quickly.  ## **Two signs this will not end well.** Tags: [Physician Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/covid19-fake-news-tsunami-what-do-doctors-say-to-your-patients) # [Practice Reset Online Workshop - Design and Build Your New Normal](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/practice-reset-online-workshop-the-tools-and-support-to-create-your-new-normal) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/POPNewNormalLogoKAJABCOVER-3.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/practice-reset-online-workshop-the-tools-and-support-to-create-your-new-normal) **[Next Workshop Starts February 1st, 2021]** [** => Click Here for Full Details <=**](https://support.thehappymd.com/new-normal-workshop-early-bird) ## ** ****As the layers of COVID-19 chaos and disruption march through your life and practice, you have a choice on where you focus your attention.** **You could play defense** -- cover your eyes, nose, ears and mouth and hang on - white knuckle your way to the light at the end of the tunnel or even pray for a rescue. **If that's what you choose, inevitably *someone else will draw up your new job description* in the wake of the pandemic and tell you what to do - once again. ** **Or** **** **WE INVITE YOU to our next Practice Reset Online Workshop. **Whether you want to *tweak, reset or even escape your current practice*, the chaos of 2020 and COVID-19 means there has never been a better time to get started than right now. Tags: [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/dike-drummond-md), [Physician Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/practice-reset-online-workshop-the-tools-and-support-to-create-your-new-normal) # [The Outpatient Visit Volume Rebound Begins ... Will it be Enough to Save Small Private Practices?](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-outpatient-visit-volume-rebound-begins-will-it-be-enough-to-save-small-private-practices) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/images/2020%20IMAGES/2020%20BLOG%20IMAGES/ambulatory-visit-volumes-usa-2020-covid19-impact.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-outpatient-visit-volume-rebound-begins-will-it-be-enough-to-save-small-private-practices) ## As we begin to reopen society, data released this week shows physician visit volumes have rebounded slightly from the bottom out in the month of April. **The burning question is will the recovery happen quickly enough to avoid an extinction event in smaller private practices?** Fee for service private practice has been hammered by declines of visit volumes of 50 - 70%. No business can withstand an assault on its top line income of this magnitude for any significant period of time. New research shows outpatient visits appear to have bottomed out in early April and are on the rebound. The curve is upward with volumes still 30-40% below baseline volumes from January and February of this year. **Given the [US healthcare system's addiction to fee for service payments](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/massive-losses-in-us-healthcare-industry-due-to-fee-for-service-payment-systems), the recovery in visit volumes and income must come quickly.** If the curve does not quickly assume a V or U shape, smaller physician owned groups who cannot survived a prolonged income drop will go out of business en masse before the end of the year. Unfortunately that does not look like a U or V to me.  **Here is the latest data on US Visit volumes from a unique source that tells the whole story. ** Tags: [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-outpatient-visit-volume-rebound-begins-will-it-be-enough-to-save-small-private-practices) # [When "The Patient Comes First" Can Get You Killed - Rehearse Your Boundaries for this COVID19 Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/when-the-patient-comes-first-can-get-you-killed-rehearse-your-boundaries-a-covid-19-pandemic) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/images/2020%20IMAGES/2020%20BLOG%20IMAGES/covid19-pandemic-resuscitation-death-virus-decision-thought-experiment-rehearse-boundaries-OPT150W.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/when-the-patient-comes-first-can-get-you-killed-rehearse-your-boundaries-a-covid-19-pandemic) ## As healthcare workers, we learn, "the patient comes first" as our Prime Directive. ## Tragically, this reflex impulse to dive in and help without thinking, can get us killed - especially here in the Covid19 Pandemic. **We tend to dive in where the need is the greatest, never questioning our “*the patient comes first*” programming.** Tags: [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/when-the-patient-comes-first-can-get-you-killed-rehearse-your-boundaries-a-covid-19-pandemic) # [Show Your Patients Your Face Despite Full PPE - Two Cool Methods](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/show-your-patients-your-face-despite-full-ppe-two-cool-methods) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/selfie-ppe-mask-the-ppe-project-show-patients-your-face-despite-PPE-Covid19-thehappymd-dike-drummond.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/show-your-patients-your-face-despite-full-ppe-two-cool-methods) ## There is a huge and necessary barrier between COVID-19 patients and their caregivers - Personal Protective Equipment - PPE **The mask, face shield, gown and gloves are completely necessary to protect the caregiver and the other patients on the ward AND they block a powerful component of a therapeutic relationship ... seeing the faces of your care team.** No smiles, frowns, looks of empathy or concern except what words and the corners of the eyes can convey ... and that is if the light is not reflecting off your visor at the time. ## What can be done to humanize this life saving connection between caregiver and patient? Tags: [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/show-your-patients-your-face-despite-full-ppe-two-cool-methods) # [The 13 Impact Layers of the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-13-impact-layers-of-the-covid-19-pandemic) Posted by [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/author/dike-drummond-md) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.thehappymd.com/hubfs/13%20layer%20calke.jpg) ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-13-impact-layers-of-the-covid-19-pandemic) ## **COVID-19 is a Worthy Adversary - We count 13 Layers of Impact that will spool out over time.** **VIDEO TRAINING:** **It is easy to focus on the impact of the acute disease and the early economic effects, but just wait, there is more.** Those are just two of the 13 separate layers of negative impact from this crisis. The long tail of the pandemic's impact will last several years at a minimum and *only if there is no wave two - please!* Tags: [Dike Drummond MD](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/dike-drummond-md), [Physician Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout), [physician burnout videos](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/physician-burnout-videos), [Pandemic](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic) [READ MORE NOW >>>](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/the-13-impact-layers-of-the-covid-19-pandemic) [All posts](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/topic/pandemic/page/2) ## **Find what you need here...** ## **We wrote the Book on Preventing Burnout** The first Field Manual to a more Ideal Practice - **40,000 copies in print. ** [**CLICK HERE to learn more and get your copy**](https://support.thehappymd.com/stop-physician-burnout-book) [![stop-physician-burnout-book-dike-drummond-40000_opt200W](https://www.thehappymd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/stop-physician-burnout-book-dike-drummond-40000_opt200W.jpg?width=200&name=stop-physician-burnout-book-dike-drummond-40000_opt200W.jpg)](https://support.thehappymd.com/stop-physician-burnout-book) ## **The Burnout Prevention MATRIX 2.0 FREE Report** **Over 235 ways to prevent physician burnout inside.  **[**CLICK HERE to learn more and get your FREE copy**](https://support.thehappymd.com/physician-burnout-prevention-matrix) [![Physician-burnout-prevention-MATRIX-report-6000-downloads_opt.jpg](https://www.thehappymd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/NEW%20HOME%20IMAGES/Physician-burnout-prevention-MATRIX-report-6000-downloads_opt.jpg?width=200&height=175&name=Physician-burnout-prevention-MATRIX-report-6000-downloads_opt.jpg)](https://support.thehappymd.com/physician-burnout-prevention-matrix) ### **Prevent Burnout** **~**  [Physician Burnout – Why It’s NOT a Fair Fight](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/295048/Physician-Burnout-Why-its-not-a-Fair-Fight) **~**  [Physician Burnout Symptoms Differ in Women and Men](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/294952/Physician-Burnout-Presents-Differently-in-Male-and-Female-Doctors)**~**  [Physician Burnout's Highest and Best Use ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/378959/Physician-Burnout-Highest-and-Best-Use)**~**  [Pathophysiology and Treatment of Burnout](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/290248/Physician-Burnout-Pathophysiology-and-Treatment-of-Burnout) **~ ** [Physician Wellness - Two Ways to Tell If Your Group Cares](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/290377/Physician-Wellness-How-to-tell-if-Your-Group-Cares) **~**  [Burnout vs. the Bottom Line - the Epic Battle ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/349242/Physician-Burnout-Vs-the-Bottom-Line-the-Epic-Battle)**~**  [Physician Burnout - Who Will Save Us? ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/381680/Physician-Burnout-Who-Will-Save-Us) ### **Physician Leadership** **~**  [3 Reasons Doctors Make Lousy Leaders and What You Can Do About It](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/290715/Physician-Leadership-Skills-3-Reasons-Doctors-Make-Poor-Leaders-and-What-You-Can-Do-About-It) **~**  [Monthly Staff Meeting Power Up and Team Venting process](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/290401/Physician-Leadership-Monthly-Staff-Meeting-Power-Up-and-Team-Venting-Process) **~**  [Employed Physician's Guide to Managing Your Boss ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/369921/Employed-Physician-Guide-to-Managing-Your-Boss)**~**  [Disruptive Physician's Toolkit](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog/bid/285327/Disruptive-Physician-Toolkit) #### **"Changed my toxic work situation" ** *"I started to feel better about my life within a couple weeks of beginning our conversations. I knew that I had an ally and friend. I realized that my feelings were predictable based on my circumstances, that I was “normal”. For the first time in years I had real hope that things would change for the better. * *We worked together to find and interview for a new position in the worst job market for my specialty the recruiters have ever experienced. With Dike’s help and persistent positive attitude, I found a new position at a group that really cares about the doctors and I start in two weeks. * *For me, the program has been worth everything. It has enabled me to emerge from my depression, change my toxic work situation, improve my home and family life, and allow myself to be happy and realize that I deserve to be happy.” * **~ Anonymous MD** [![Physician-burnout-prevention-discovery-session](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/263814/cc0b1858-fb1c-4ed3-98e5-4c4f10706093.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/263814/cc0b1858-fb1c-4ed3-98e5-4c4f10706093) - [Home ](https://www.thehappymd.com) - [Blog ](https://www.thehappymd.com/blog) - [About](https://www.thehappymd.com/about-the-happy-md)   - [ Contact ](https://www.thehappymd.com/contact) - |  - [Republish Articles](https://www.thehappymd.com/the-happy-md-content-network-signup-r)   || [Privacy Policy](https://www.thehappymd.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.thehappymd.com/terms-of-use) | [Anti-Spam Policy](https://www.thehappymd.com/anti-spam-policy) ||   **© TheHappyMD.com all rights reserved**