Title: Burnout in Medicine: Reassessing the Tesla Work Ethic That’s Driving Physicians to Exhaustion

By Dr. Tomi Mitchell

Ah, burnout! This term has become so intertwined with contemporary medicine that it has even found its place within the ICD-10 coding system (Z73.0, for those interested). For numerous healthcare providers, burnout transcends mere clinical terminology—it embodies a daily truth.

To the outside observer, doctors may seem like they are thriving, performing at peak capacity. However, beneath the surface lies a different narrative. Many of us are held together by little more than caffeine, adrenaline, and the remnants of an archaic work ethic—one that suggests sacrificing more validates your dedication.

I can relate. I experienced it firsthand.

From Superwoman to Super Depleted

At one point, I managed a successful medical practice, responsible for a whole ecosystem: physicians, allied health staff, administrative support, and patients. All the while, I was also raising my children and running a household—amidst the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, no less.

I adhered to all the right principles: hustling, sacrificing, remaining available, and consistently showing up. Yet, I was disintegrating internally. The reality? I was on the brink of a total collapse.

Rethinking Burnout: A Systemic Issue, Not a Symptom

During my TEDx talk, “Rethinking Burnout: And It’s Not What You Were Led to Believe,” I questioned the conventional perception of burnout, which mainly fixates on fatigue. However, burnout goes much deeper—it reflects a systemic breakdown. A breakdown of policy. A breakdown of expectations. A breakdown of outdated concepts that instruct doctors to simply “grin and bear it.”

In the field of medicine, we like to believe we’re invulnerable—an attitude that has become perilous. We resemble the Tesla Cybertruck: promoted as indestructible, yet faltering when subjected to too much strain.

The Tesla Work Ethic: A Model in Need of Recall

Medicine has celebrated overwork long before Silicon Valley became aware of the hustle culture. From horseback house calls to lengthy ER shifts to telehealth services and administrative burdens, we’ve consistently linked suffering with service. The traditional doctor’s bag may be swapped for sleek devices and Wi-Fi, yet the burdens are greater than ever.

And still, when we express our worries, we encounter gaslighting:

– “You knew what you signed up for.”
– “Doctors have always worked long hours.”
– “Perhaps you just need to enhance your resilience.”

Resilience? I was an exceptional physician, an effective manager, and a hands-on parent amid a worldwide crisis. Calling it “resilience” is akin to demanding a Tesla battery work overtime and then reproaching it when it overheats.

Burnout isn’t a flaw in character. It doesn’t stem from weakness. It arises from a mismatch within the system—between what is expected, what is possible, and what is sustainable.

Burned Out and Labeled: Introducing the New Medical Archetypes

– The “Tesla Recall” Physician – Operating on empty, where your clinical decisions may come with a warning label.
– The “Spontaneous Combustion” Specialist – You began your journey saving lives; now, you’re merely struggling to prevent yourself from burning out.
– The “Autopilot Failure” Attending – Entering the incorrect operating room unaware because you haven’t rested in 30 hours.

Is this the essence of heroism?

Discovering the Path to Wellness: My Revelation

Eventually, I reached my breaking point. I had to make a choice: continue pushing until I collapsed or advocate for my own mental and physical wellbeing.

I opted for the latter—and believe me, it was challenging.

Stepping away from a full medical practice was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever faced, but it led me to discover something transformative: balance. True self-care, not the social media version. I rested, consumed nutritious food, and established boundaries. Not surprisingly, I emerged healthier, happier, and more resilient.

And I was not alone. Research has shown that physicians with an improved work-life balance are less prone to making medical errors, experience greater job satisfaction, and even enjoy longer lives (Sermo, 2024).

So why do we continue to glorify the grind?

Redefining the Wellness Narrative in Medicine

It’s essential to challenge the culture that equates burnout with achievement. We are more intelligent than this, and our patients—and our families—deserve physicians functioning at their best, not at their breaking point.

Here’s what we need to acknowledge:

– Quality Over Quantity: Logging excessive hours doesn’t enhance your skills as a doctor—it merely leads to exhaustion and increases the likelihood of errors.
– Boundaries Preserve Lives: If we perpetually compromise our own health, who is there to care for the caregivers?
– Work Smarter, Not Just Harder.