Dr. Samantha Shapiro recounts her enthusiastic and ambitious early career in rheumatology—a path that culminated in burnout and a brave choice with new opportunities.
One Rheumatologist’s Sabbatical for Contemplative Leisure
The year before my hike, I was extremely busy with various ACR workforce issues; meetings; presentations, locally, regionally and nationally; juggling medical missions and more. However, I had blocked time in my calendar over one year in advance to hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain with a long-time U.S. Army buddy. I met Pat…
Global Summit Addresses Worldwide Rheumatology Workforce Challenges
Rheumatology workforce challenges are a global concern. Many challenges, especially the lack of trained rheumatology clinicians, are similar among countries and regions of the world, while others differ. The 2024 ACR Global Summit session on workforce featured a discussion by representatives of regional rheumatology organizations and the ACR addressing issues central to developing and retaining…
Rheuminations: The Tenacity of Hope
It’s dark. It’s cold. And it’s 5 p.m. here in Iowa. If that sounds rather bleak to you, I wouldn’t blame you. But to Stella, my 12-year-old canine companion, it’s a wonderland. She’s half-Shetland sheepdog and half-American Eskimo, so the colder and snowier it is, the more she feels at home. And although I do…
Survey Reports Significant Frustrations Among Academic Physicians
Nearly one-third of academic physicians surveyed, including many rheumatologists, were considering leaving their institutions within two years of the survey, often because of a lack of professional fulfillment or from professional burnout, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open in fall 2023.1,2 That amount of physician turnover contributes to an interruption of patient…
Mental Health in Rheumatology
Regaining a sense of control, limiting responsibilities and engaging in mindfulness can help rheumatologists manage their mental health needs. Rheumatologists should also address the mental health concerns raised by their patients. Here are insights from a psychiatrist/rheumatologist.
Dare to Say No
Experts Whitney Marvin, MD, and Jinoos Yazdany, MD, discuss how to find synergy between work & career to better manage work/life conflicts and avoid burnout as rheumatologists.
Ethics Forum: Thoughts on Managing Electronic Communication with Patients
Recent proposals in the U.S. to bill for electronic communication with our patients could be seen as a refreshing but contested attempt to battle burnout rates in the present era. A fee for electronic communications between patients and clinicians also acknowledges the value of the clinician’s time and expertise. But is this ethical? Discussion Burnout…
Tips to Alleviate Rheumatologist Burnout
Because rheumatology is a complex cognitive specialty, rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals often see patients repeatedly for acute and chronic problems. Although that may lead to close relationships with patients, it may also make the specialty more prone to burnout, says Peter Y. Hahn, MD, MBA, CEO of University of Michigan Health-West, Wyoming, Mich. “It can…
Appreciative Rheumatology: Positivity Beyond Serologies
Spam, spam, advertisement, spam … wait wait, what’s this? A small envelope, addressed from Maine. I wonder what this is about? Usually, when I get an envelope this size, it’s a letter from someone trying to sell me something or complain about something I have no control over. So imagine my surprise when I found…
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