Physician Burnout, Vulnerability and Your Group's Culture
I am often asked if I am familiar with the work of Brene Brown and especially her tremendously popular TED videos "The power of vulnerability" and "Listening to shame".
These are fabulous introductions to the topic of vulnerability that can help all of us who see patients on two distinct levels.
Patient Vulnerability:
I highly recommend these videos to all physicians because vulnerability and shame are woven through any authentic healing encounter. It is important to understand and navigate the patient's shame and vulnerability whenever you enter the exam room.
Physician Vulnerability:
Brene Brown's work is also immediately relevant to physician burnout. Vulnerability and shame are experience all of us feel personally when our practice becomes too much. This is especially true for male physicians because of our habit of not reaching out for help.
