# The Truth About Becoming a Physician: Devotion, Trade-offs, and Exhaustion

## A Lifelong Aspiration
Since the age of twelve, Dr. Pamela Buchanan has aspired to be a doctor. Raised in St. Louis, she admired the renowned Dr. Helen Nash, one of the few Black physicians in her neighborhood. Witnessing Dr. Nash’s contributions—her capability to assist others, manage a thriving practice, and champion healthcare access—motivated Dr. Buchanan to seek a career in medicine.

Nevertheless, the path to becoming a physician is far from straightforward. It demands years of commitment, academic success, financial fortitude, and an unyielding enthusiasm. Prospective doctors endure medical school, rigorous residency programs, and incessant assessments—all to gain the honor of possessing an M.D. or D.O.

## The Trade-offs on the Journey
Medical students and residents often forfeit their personal lives to keep up in a profession that asks for everything. The years filled with 30-hour on-call duties, missed family gatherings, and considerable stress prepare them to withstand, but not necessarily flourish. Physicians frequently push their physical and mental boundaries, convinced that the “finish line”—achieving the status of attending physician—will provide relief.

However, for many, that relief is elusive.

## The Stark Realities of Being a Physician Today
Upon becoming an attending, Dr. Buchanan encountered an even grimmer reality. The medical field, instead of being the fulfilling career she had envisioned, appeared designed to take advantage of doctors’ empathy and dedication.

– In private practice, profit-oriented models pressured physicians toward constantly shifting financial targets, rendering fair payment difficult to attain.
– The emergency room, once a haven for real medical crises, is now overwhelmed with patients seeking primary care that they cannot obtain elsewhere.
– Chronic understaffing, bureaucratic hurdles, and corporate-driven healthcare create a setting where burnout is nearly guaranteed.

Doctors today find themselves trapped in an unending cycle of high patient volumes, administrative responsibilities, and emotional drain. The result? Rising instances of burnout, depression, and even physician suicides.

## The Burnout Crisis in Medicine
Dr. Buchanan’s story is representative of a larger issue. A 2019 report from the National Academy of Medicine highlighted concerning levels of physician burnout, revealing that over half of doctors experienced symptoms like fatigue, cynicism, and diminished effectiveness. These statistics have only deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic.

Burnout among medical professionals is not merely a personal concern—it has a direct impact on patient care, hospital performance, and the future of the medical profession. A healthcare system struggling to retain physicians risks jeopardizing both the wellbeing of providers and patients alike.

## Championing Transformation
In spite of the challenges, Dr. Buchanan envisions a brighter future for medicine. She is dedicated to advocating for systemic reforms that empower doctors to deliver compassionate, high-quality care without compromising their own well-being. She advocates for:

– **A transformation in healthcare management** that prioritizes physician wellness over corporate revenue.
– **Mental health resources for physicians** that eliminate fears of losing licensure or hospital privileges.
– **Enhanced work-life balance policies**, so doctors don’t have to choose between professional responsibilities and family life.
– **Greater awareness of burnout prevention**, particularly targeting medical students and residents.

Dr. Buchanan currently devotes her career to coaching, speaking, and consulting to assist physicians in navigating and overcoming burnout.

## Creating a Better Medical Landscape
The ambition of becoming a physician should not devolve into a nightmare of fatigue. A passion for medicine should not be taken advantage of. Physicians require structural assistance, equitable compensation, and mental health resources.

As Dr. Buchanan continues her fight for an improved healthcare system, she reminds everyone: doctors are not just caretakers—they are individuals who also need care.

For those interested in reaching out to Dr. Pamela Buchanan, please visit **[Strong Medicine](https://www.strongmedicinestl.com/)**, or follow her initiatives on **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/Strongmedstl)** and **[TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@Strongmedstl)**.