In this episode of Unfiltered, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr are joined once again by cardiologist and physician wellness advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher. The trio take an unfiltered look at physician burnout, asking whether the profession itself is pushing doctors to emotionally “split in two.”

The discussion covers a wide range of pressing issues, from declining reimbursements and ineffective wellness programs to the cultural expectation that doctors must suppress grief, frustration and empathy to survive the workday.

Dr. Fisher warns that this emotional compartmentalization resembles the plot of the dystopian show Severance, and he draws on both psychological research and personal experience to explain how it can corrode doctors’ professional fulfillment and personal lives.

Dr. Pearl counters with skepticism that systemic change will happen unless clinicians lead the charge, proposing a bold, clinician-run experiment in preventive care that could reshape incentives and eliminate bureaucratic friction.

For more, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)

‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #175: Burnout, Broken Systems & The Severed Self appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.