Difficulty with Employers

Hello, friends, and welcome to another episode of Ending Physician Overwhelm. This week, we’re tackling a topic that resonates deeply for so many of us in medicine: the challenges of navigating relationships with our employers.

We’re not talking about the individuals you work alongside every day, but the employer as an entity. What happens when your values, mission, and vision for patient care seem to be at odds with the system you work in? And how can we move forward when trust in our workplace has eroded—or was never there to begin with?

Here’s what we cover in this reflective and empowering episode:

• Looking Back to Look Forward
  We take a moment to reflect on what we thought life in medicine would be like before med school. What were your hopes, expectations, and ideas about patient care? Now, compare that to your day-to-day reality. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about noticing the gap.
• The Trap of Self-Blame
  Too often, we internalize the struggle as a personal failure: “If only I worked harder, charted faster, or was better at my job, everything would fall into place.” But this mindset harms us and perpetuates a belief that the system we work in is fair or reasonable when it often is not.
• Evaluating the Employer-Employee Relationship
  What if we flipped the script and graded our employers? Are they living up to the promises made when you took the job? Do their values align with yours, or is there a growing mismatch? We explore how to assess this relationship without cynicism but with clear-eyed honesty.
• Recognizing Your Own Value
  Your skills, expertise, and personhood are your most important assets, and they should always be prioritized. If you feel stuck, remember that you have choices—even if they don’t feel obvious right now.
• Finding a Way Forward
  Whether you choose to stay or decide to leave, the key is recognizing your worth and aligning your actions with your values. We explore ways to approach this decision with curiosity and intention rather than anger or frustration.

This is a deep dive into the systemic challenges we face and a call to reconnect with your intrinsic value as a physician and a human being. You are not broken, and the difficulties you experience are not your fault.

As always, my friends, take care, take heart, and take the time to reflect on what you need to live and practice medicine in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with your values.

Let’s Stay Connected:
This work is challenging, but it’s worth it. If you’re ready to explore how you can reclaim your energy and redefine your path in medicine, I’d love to help.

📧 Reach me at megan@healthierforgood.com
🌐 Visit www.healthierforgood.com to learn about my coaching programs, including Unbound: Women Physicians Reclaiming Their Lives.

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