Over the last few months, we have heard from three incredible physicians from our network on how to optimize opportunities by balancing the needs of your patients, your practice, and your personal time. During these three interviews, a common theme emerged — the risks of burnout and how it can negatively impact a physician’s life and work. Below, we’ve compiled four strategies to help you proactively maintain your energy throughout your day-to-day activities, ensuring that you can be at your best for your patients, colleagues, loved ones, and, most importantly, for yourself.

1. Communicate Expectations to Patients, Effectively and Clearly
Open and compassionate communication is paramount. By actively listening to your patients’ concerns, providing clear and understandable explanations about their treatment options, and engaging in a shared decision-making process, you will “go a long way to help better patient reporting outcomes,” according to Dr. John McAllister. Using simple, everyday language is a proactive way to prevent patients from returning with feelings of upset and anger over their treatment outcomes. When communication hasn’t been optimal and patients aren’t happy with their results, it often leads to additional negative communication with them. This requires significant emotional labor that can be draining for physicians. The cycle of dissatisfaction can create mistrust, ultimately affecting further referrals, adversely affecting your practice. To combat this, Dr. McAllister implements direct and honest conversations with his patients: “It’s not like your knee is going to feel like it was when you were 20. The [replacements are] not that good, but they’re pretty good. And it’ll be better than what you have.” Building a trusting and empathetic rapport with patients ensures they are well-informed and confident in the healthcare journey you’re providing.

2. Reduce Administrative Burdens to Focus on Patients
Delegating administrative tasks is the key to fostering operational efficiency—a physician’s time is best spent providing care and treating patients, not bent over paperwork or dealing with insurance forms. Mobius MD reports that doctors spend more than 15 hours per week on paperwork and other administrative tasks. When necessary these burdens detract from the core focus of medicine, physicians experience burnout, to say nothing of potentially compromising patient safety and overall quality of care. In addition to delegation, embracing AI tools and technology can also enhance overall efficiency. AI tools can automate and/or support administrative tasks such as claims processing, payments, hiring, data migration, and more. And Surgery Partners can help you on all fronts, administratively speaking. By partnering with an ASC to minimize day-to-day administrative tasks, you can spend your time doing what you’re best at—caring for your patients. Dr. Jack Bowling echoes this sentiment: “The shift towards streamlined administrative tasks benefits patient care, enhances job satisfaction, and strengthens the patient-physician relationship, ultimately promoting healthcare quality.” This leads to a better work-life balance and vastly reduces the possibility of burnout.

3. Leverage New Technologies
The surgical field is increasingly open to embracing new technologies, particularly robotic systems. Surgery Partners stands out for their open-minded and conversational approach to adopting these technologies. The Surgery Partners approach to new technology contrasts with the more rigid stance of hospitals, where the default response is often a straightforward “no” without further inquiry. Dr. Bowling’s professional experience bolsters this notion: “We got our robot two years earlier at the surgical center than we did at the hospital even though we requested them at the same time.” When you enjoy new technologies, such as robots, you also enjoy reduced physical demands, shorter procedure times, and even minimized on-site hospital rounds as robot-assisted surgery can allow for some patients to recover at home or in an outpatient setting. These benefits reduce the possibility of burnout while positively impacting your patient outcomes.

4. Prioritize Time for Yourself and Loved Ones
There are a multitude of compelling reasons you should make it a priority to allocate time for yourself, your family, and your friends. By doing so, you promote your own well-being and mental health, reducing the risk of stress and burnout that can result from the demanding nature of your practice. According to Dr. Batta, “you have to separate and go home. You can do what you can for patients, but try not to let it affect [your] personal life.” Striking a balance between work and personal life not only leads to a more sustainable and fulfilling career but also positively impacts patient care by ensuring physicians are emotionally recharged and effective. Nurturing relationships with loved ones not only strengthens emotional support systems but also plays a crucial role in preventing burnout. “In order for me to remain that dedicated,” says Dr. Batta, “I have to have time for myself everyday.” Ultimately, embracing personal time and connections outside of medicine provides fulfillment, purpose, and enhanced satisfaction in both your personal life and your practice. Surgery Partners supports these virtues by offering a flexible schedule, available block times, efficient room turnover, and a dedicated clinical team.

Ultimately, a healthcare journey is a partnership between dedicated physicians and their patients. The experiences and perspectives shared above underscore the importance of maintaining a balance between patient care, personal well-being, and professional growth. By integrating these strategies into your practice, you can proactively combat burnout, enhance patient outcomes, and lead a more fulfilling career. We hope that these insights will serve as a valuable guide in your journey toward a more sustainable, fulfilling, and patient-centric practice.