Therapy for Physicians: Just A Cog

I’ve spoken to enough physicians to understand how the medical landscape is changing. Sure, you are still the golden goose and generate income for your employer. In my work with physicians, the almighty doctor, a pillar of the community, has been downgraded to a cog in a medical organization. If you don’t own your own practice, you are just a cog.

Therapy for Physicians

I’ve heard and read that phrase so many times in my work with physicians. The other term that comes up is “disposable doctor.” More and more of my clients are starting to feel like they are not valued by their medical organization. There’s the physician that was voluntold they were going to be precepting residents. There’s the physician who suggested obtaining lead analyzers for in-house testing only to be denied but when a nurse practitioner suggested it for the same exact reasons, it was ordered within the week. Then there's the physician who is trying to hit the 40 patients per day quota. Many medical organizations value you but not in the way that you’d like.

There was a time when physicians were at the top. They were the cream of the crop. They were well respected. That time has passed, if you work for a medical organization. Your value is in being able to generate income through direct care or through the referrals that you provide. We just went through the pandemic dumpster fire. Were you held in high regard during the pandemic? Did you have the support that you needed? Or were you rewarded with pizza parties? Times have changed. So has your position as a physician.

It’s okay to be bitter and angry. You 100% should be. And you should be in your feelings and emotions. You should be present with what your mind and body are telling you. You need to listen to that. With that said, once you can to come to terms with your emotions, please take a step back and look at the situation with open eyes. Get off autopilot and acknowledge the situation you are in.

Do you like the situation you are in? Do you enjoy the way that you practice medicine? Do you have a feeling of dread deep in the pit of your stomach? Are you anxious about your next shift? It may be because you are burned out of medicine. It may be because your values don’t align with your organization. Maybe it’s because your organization didn’t have your best interest in mind. You’re the one who knows.

Therapy for Physician Burnout

Times have changed. Physicians aren’t as held highly as previously. There’s nothing wrong with being a cog in an organization. Cogs play an important role in a system. If this idea of being a physician who is a cog makes you uncomfortable, it may be time to examine what is really going on inside of you.

Reach out for Therapy for Physicians

When you’re ready to start therapy with Chris Rabanera, take the first steps with a free 15-minute consultation. I provide online therapy in California, online therapy in Michigan, online therapy in Nebraska, and online therapy in Las Vegas. As an experienced therapist, I specialize in physician burnout, grief counseling, anxiety, and depression. I also provide mental health treatment for men.