**Rethinking Physician Well-being: Jessie Mahoney’s Push for Transformation**
In the vibrant realm of healthcare, the conversation around physician well-being has become a focal point. Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney offers a thought-provoking viewpoint in her KevinMD piece “What if we ceased to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of practicing medicine?” Mahoney examines the widespread culture of martyrdom that characterizes the medical field, a legacy that drives many physicians towards burnout and disenchantment. She contends that the challenge resides not in the resilience of doctors but in systemic barriers to their well-being.
Leveraging her experience in coaching numerous physicians, Mahoney presents the “7 Cs of transformative change”: Courage, Creativity, Calm, Compassion, Capacity, Commitment, and Community. This framework is designed to empower physicians to envision a career that is more in harmony with their values, ultimately resulting in greater fulfillment and improved patient care. Mahoney’s journey from burnout to wellness advocate highlights her assertion that self-care for physicians isn’t just a personal advantage but a professional necessity.
She emphasizes that adopting self-compassion and purposeful transformation can enable doctors to transition from mere survival to thriving within a sustainable practice that benefits both them and their patients. In doing so, Mahoney aims to demonstrate that prioritizing their own well-being is not an act of selfishness but an essential measure for comprehensive and effective healthcare delivery.
The discussion encourages physicians to transform their practice narrative from one of sacrifice to one focused on balance and intention, ensuring that the custodians of health are not compelled to forfeit their own.