Can Doctors Really Escape Burnout Culture Today?

The LOUNGE - A Newsletter for Savvy Physicians

We scour the net, selecting the most pertinent articles for the busy doc so you don’t have to! Here’s what kept our focus this week…

• Physicians are trained to function in constant crisis—working late, skipping breaks, and surviving chaos.

• Authenticity requires consistent messaging across platforms and interactions, online or offline.

• Leadership is about listening and co-creating solutions—not dictating them.

• Build clean systems, delegate operations, and design for independence—even if you’re not selling.

• When it comes to medical group retirement plans, the real cost isn’t just in dollars—it’s in mistakes.

• Aligning AI with internal protocols boosts adoption and improves outcomes at the frontlines.

Online Income for Doctors: Be a Consultant!

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LOUNGE TALK

Emergency physician Dr. Maureen Gibbons paints a vivid picture of the disconnect between well-meaning workplace gestures and the harsh realities of modern medicine. In her story, a cart full of candy highlights a deeper issue: doctors are expected to thrive in conditions that are fundamentally unsustainable. Gibbons argues that while no one’s at fault, the system is structured around relentless overwork, where skipping meals and sleep is normalized. Rather than wait for institutional change, many physicians are opting to reclaim autonomy by pivoting to alternative career paths—remote-first models, coaching, consulting, and asynchronous practices. The message is clear: wellness isn’t about snacks, it’s about control. Gibbons' goal isn’t to push doctors out of medicine, but to keep them in it—on their own terms. The future of healthcare may hinge on doctors who reshape their careers to support both their calling and their quality of life.

In a crowded and competitive world, building a strong personal brand is more than marketing—it’s about showing up consistently and authentically. According to expert John Hall, authenticity is the cornerstone of personal branding that actually resonates with others. The process starts with a deep understanding of your core values and aligning them with your daily actions, leadership style, and even your mistakes. Sharing both wins and setbacks creates relatability, while consistency across platforms reinforces trust. Leaders and professionals alike can strengthen their personal brands by forming genuine, value-driven connections. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being human, transparent, and consistent. In the end, authenticity isn’t just nice to have—it’s a strategic advantage.

In the face of budget pressures and potential layoffs, executive Soren from a global arts institution took an unexpected approach: instead of demanding cuts, he invited his team to explore their department’s broader purpose and long-term sustainability. This kind of leadership exemplifies what researchers Megan Reitz and John Higgins call “spacious thinking”—a mindset that encourages open dialogue, systemic reflection, and purpose-driven decision-making. Rather than reacting narrowly, Soren widened the conversation, helping his team feel heard, empowered, and aligned around a shared mission. Spacious thinking challenges traditional, top-down leadership by creating room for innovation and collective problem-solving, especially in times of crisis. It doesn’t ignore tough realities like cost-cutting but reframes them as opportunities to rethink value and impact. Leaders who foster this approach not only build trust but often find more effective and sustainable solutions. In complex times, it turns out that space—not speed—is the ultimate strategic asset.

Growth is often glamorized, but Bhaskar Ahuja argues that founders should focus on value creation by adopting a private equity (PE) mindset. Instead of chasing more revenue or features, businesses should treat capital like a precious resource—allocating it where it generates the highest return. This mindset starts with making every dollar accountable, setting a clear internal "buy box" for investment decisions, and prioritizing metrics like recurring revenue, margins, and operational efficiency over top-line growth. Founders should build dashboards to track real-time performance and always operate with exit-readiness in mind, even if a sale isn’t the goal. Capital allocation becomes not just a quarterly review but a daily discipline. The result? A business that runs efficiently, scales intentionally, and increases its value—whether you're bootstrapping or VC-backed.

Medical and dental group retirement plans often carry more assets per participant than non-medical businesses, but that advantage can quickly erode due to high fees, compliance risks, and poor design. Guest expert Konstantin Litovsky lays out the good, the bad, and the ugly in these plans—highlighting everything from ERISA violations and revenue-sharing pitfalls to inefficient fund selection and a lack of fiduciary oversight. The “ugly” includes plans that pass high administrative costs to participants through revenue-sharing, while the “bad” involves unnecessarily expensive AUM fees and overpriced active funds. The “good”? Fixed flat fees, low-cost passive index funds, and ERISA-compliant practices that align with all participants' best interests. Other common pain points include inadequate HR support, demographic imbalances in plan design, and overcomplicated structures. For practices serious about protecting assets and reducing liability, the fix isn’t complexity—it’s simplicity, transparency, and better advice.

Keck Medicine of USC is navigating healthcare AI adoption with a “blended approach,” strategically combining custom-built systems with commercial solutions. Associate Director of Data Science and AI Yesha Patel explains how this hybrid model offers the flexibility, security, and speed needed to align with real-world clinical and operational demands. While buying third-party tools can speed deployment, it often introduces technical debt and integration headaches—something Keck experienced firsthand. Meanwhile, building everything in-house strains internal teams and budgets. The sweet spot? Build the layers that need clinical specificity and buy proven tools where customization isn’t critical. This reduces development time, maintains trust with frontline clinicians, and ensures long-term sustainability. Patel’s case study is a blueprint for health systems seeking scalable, agile, and cost-effective AI implementations.

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QUICK BITES

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• 3 tips for using AI medical scribes to save time charting.

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