Chelsea Turgeon is a former OB/GYN resident and a physician coach.

Why does leaving medicine feel like escaping a cult?

Physician
February 18, 2025

“Shame on you for glorifying people leaving such a noble profession.”

That’s a little … intense.

I was jolted but, unfortunately, not surprised by this negative comment on my LinkedIn post—a post sharing my story of resigning from residency.

Backlash like this is not new to me. Anytime I speak publicly about leaving clinical medicine, I am met with an odd mix of “That’s so brave of you to share” and “How dare …

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Why does leaving medicine feel like escaping a cult?

How medical training indoctrinates toxic beliefs in physicians

Medical Education
February 22, 2024

There’s a great irony that exists within medicine. We are taught to critically examine all scientific evidence; however, there are a series of beliefs we learn about the profession as a whole that we’re meant to accept without question.

Essentially, during our medical training, we are indoctrinated with a set of harmful beliefs about what it means to be a doctor. These beliefs harm not only us as individual physicians but …

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How medical training indoctrinates toxic beliefs in physicians

Putting on the mask of professionalism causes burnout

Physician
August 24, 2022

In medical school, we are not just taught the scientific information that doctors should know, we are also taught how doctors should look and behave.

I remember being shown a video on “professionalism” during our first day of orientation. It was meant to be humorous, demonstrating more extreme examples of dress code and behavioral violations.

Medical students walk into exam rooms with their bra straps hanging out.

Smacking on gum and blowing bubbles …

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Putting on the mask of professionalism causes burnout

Why do physicians stay in toxic work environments?

Physician
February 4, 2022

For the most highly educated and specialized professional on the health care totem pole, physicians put up with a ridiculous amount of nonsense in the workplace.

You are pressured to see high volumes of patients in a rapid-fire fashion (15 minutes per visit) even when it interferes with the quality of care.

You are expected to complete mundane and excessive administrative tasks and generally are not directly compensated for this time.

You are …

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Why do physicians stay in toxic work environments?