Submitted by Richard J Hamilton MD, Drexel University College of Medicine (@RJHamiltonMD, richard.hamilton@drexelmed.edu)

Originally posted on The Hot Stove League of EM/Tox

Physicians are among the most unhappy, stressed out professionals. In fact, there is tremendous job dissatisfaction throughout the house of medicine. In this first in a series animated video cast, I describe how physicians can explore mindfulness to recognize when stressful situations are bringing out their worst traits and why that happens. I discuss the value of treating these difficult moments with kindness, curiosity, and acceptance. I believe we can use mindfulness to explore how various fears very personal to our own situation function as the subconscious engine that drives behaviors that are destructive, disruptive, and depressing. Physicians can return to a positive state of mind and the excitement of those first moments of fulfillment they felt when they started their journey in medicine if they adopt mindfulness techniques.