Physician Wellness: An Introduction
“ H ealthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” Sir Winston Churchill BY DOUGLAS P MURPHY, MD
When the opportunity to write an article on physician wellness for CCMA’s Central Coast Physicians (CCP) for arose, I was immediately moved by the opportunity to further explore the issue knowing its importance in light of profound and ongoing changes in medicine now complicated immensely by a global pandemic. However, it became clear to me that the depth and breadth of the issue would not in my estimation permit a just presentation in a single article. Hence, this is the first of a series of articles for Central Coast Physicians magazine that will address the multifaceted, complex, and profoundly important issue physician health and wellness. The issue of physician wellness has grown immensely in importance over the last decade or more, and with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging internationally, perhaps even more so. This is due to wellness’ critical impact not only on the lives of physicians and their families, but also on the ability of healthcare systems to function optimally and provide the best possible care to patients. A growing body of research and international attention is mounting because of the belief amongst institutions and stakeholders that it takes a healthy doctor workforce for health systems to operate effectively in the service of providing high quality patients care.
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CENTRAL COAST PHYSICIANS
Fall 2020
