Should Doctors Rethink Traditional Time Management?

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…

• Some health care systems are beginning to offer coaching and flexible scheduling to combat burnout.

• History shows that small, passionate groups have sparked revolutions in politics, business, and society.

• A well-rounded life leads to better decision-making, leadership, and overall well-being.

• Smart leaders can use AI to refine their decision-making and explore new perspectives.

• A notable difference in mortality rates between male and female physicians has been identified.

• Physician suicide leaves a lasting impact on both doctors and patients—so why aren’t we talking about it more?

LOUNGE TALK

In a thought-provoking episode of The Podcast by KevinMD, family physician Laura Suttin challenges the conventional wisdom of time management. She argues that rigid scheduling often leads to burnout and stress for physicians, who are trained to prioritize work over basic human needs. Instead, she advocates for an energy-based approach—aligning work with natural rhythms rather than forcing productivity. Drawing from personal experiences, including a power outage and an unexpected surgery, Suttin shares how tuning into her body’s signals helped her find a healthier balance. She suggests simple but impactful changes, like taking regular breaks and adjusting schedules to accommodate personal well-being. This shift isn’t just about individual self-care—it has ripple effects on patient care and the overall health care system. With growing recognition of physician burnout, some medical organizations are beginning to embrace these ideas, offering coaching and flexible scheduling options. The message is clear: doctors need to care for themselves first to truly care for others.

Leadership in uncertain times can feel overwhelming, but history proves that small, purpose-driven groups can create massive change. Whether it was the Renaissance, the Suffragette Movement, or the founding of groundbreaking companies like Apple and Patagonia, big impact often starts with just a few dedicated individuals. Moshe Engelberg, PhD, argues that the key to navigating uncertainty is leading with love, clarity, and boldness. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, leaders must take small but meaningful steps, foster transparency, and prioritize self-care. By embracing empathy, truth, and shared humanity, leaders can build momentum and inspire lasting change. The world is full of noise, but authentic, purpose-driven leadership cuts through the chaos. No matter the size of your team or organization, your leadership can create ripples that turn into waves.

Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of postponing joy, assuming they’ll enjoy life after reaching their next big milestone. But as Chad Willardson argues, waiting for “later” is a dangerous gamble—because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. He shares a powerful story of a retired couple who had big travel plans, only for tragedy to strike, reinforcing the urgency of living fully now. Success means nothing if it comes at the expense of relationships, and true balance isn’t about splitting time evenly but being fully present in the moment. Entrepreneurs who prioritize family and personal fulfillment not only find deeper happiness but also become better leaders. Instead of building a life you need to escape from, integrate joy into everyday life so work and personal fulfillment coexist. The ultimate takeaway? Don’t wait—start creating a life worth living today.

True leadership isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about solving the right problems in ways that no one expected, leading to even better outcomes. To do this, leaders must master four key types of thinking: expert thinking (leveraging deep knowledge), critical thinking (evaluating information objectively), strategic thinking (seeing the big picture), and systems thinking (understanding complex interconnections). Many leaders struggle with when and how to apply these skills, which are essential for adding value to teams and organizations. Whether it’s designing better solutions for clients or improving internal processes, using the right type of thinking at the right time can drive innovation and long-term success. The ability to teach and cultivate these thinking skills in others is what separates good leaders from truly transformative ones. Even AI tools can serve as thinking partners, helping leaders refine and expand their decision-making capabilities.

A recent study reveals that male physicians in the U.S. experience lower mortality rates compared to the general male population, while female physicians do not share this advantage. The research highlights a significant gender disparity in physician mortality, prompting questions about the underlying causes. Factors such as work-related stress, gender biases in the medical profession, and differences in health-seeking behaviors may contribute to this discrepancy. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing targeted interventions to support the well-being of all physicians. Addressing these issues could lead to improved health outcomes and longevity for female physicians, aligning their mortality rates more closely with those of their male colleagues.

Physician suicide has profound and lasting effects on both the medical community and the patients left behind. In a KevinMD Podcast episode, physician advocate Kim Downey and family physician Todd Otten discuss the emotional toll of losing colleagues and doctors to suicide. They highlight the systemic challenges that contribute to physician mental health struggles, including burnout, lack of grieving time, and a medical culture that prioritizes patient care over self-care. Todd shares his personal experience of losing four colleagues to suicide, emphasizing the need for open conversations, mental health support, and systemic reform. Kim speaks from a patient’s perspective, describing the deep emotional trauma of losing a trusted physician. Both stress the importance of connection, checking in on colleagues, and breaking the silence around mental health struggles in medicine. The takeaway? Change starts with prioritizing physician well-being—because doctors can’t care for others if they can’t care for themselves.

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QUICK BITES

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