Do physicians need tragic optimism?

Abstract

In 2016, as a trainee doctor, I wrote a paper on changing the culture of medicine. I felt the medical system was broken back then, and it seems even less functional now, with higher rates of burnout, dropout and staff shortages nationally. As a result of a lack of resources, it feels impossible to provide the care to our communities expected of us, making our work challenging and disheartening. Until all stakeholders acknowledge the systemic issues faced by our workforce, service outcomes and physician well-being may not improve. We need to collaborate and innovate to reform the healthcare system taking a multifaceted, evidence-based approach, implementing an appropriate balance of systemic change and interventions to support individual well-being. As we collectively work towards these changes, tragic optimism may spur physicians to develop meaning and purpose despite the inevitable challenges. This may serve as the motivation and fuel required to survive and sustain our practice but also thrive working in careers of value.