Dawn Sears is a gastroenterologist.

10 things to know about your doctor that will get you better care

Physician
November 29, 2023

During a recent conversation with Dr. Dawn Sears, I mentioned that I was working on a presentation I wish to give locally, speaking on “How caring for your doctor gets you better care.”

Our discussion revealed some important insights all patients should be aware of, which we share here:

1. Let the pilot fly the plane. Passengers generally don’t walk onto an airplane and start complaining to the pilot about their seat …

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10 things to know about your doctor that will get you better care

Why are women leaving medicine? Gaslighting.

Physician
July 22, 2022

Not a week goes by that I don’t have a conversation with an amazingly successful women physician who states: “I’m thinking of quitting.” They are succeeding in all their goals: leadership, family, practice improvement, the highest level of patient care, contributing meaningful research and/or teaching, and even getting some homemade muffins or a bottle of cherry wine from patients on occasion.

Why would someone in this situation feel so dissatisfied to …

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Why are women leaving medicine? Gaslighting.

You need a break from the front lines of health care

Physician
June 30, 2021

The current era of health care delivery has been aptly compared with going to war against an invisible enemy that can attack anywhere, at any time and with novel means.

This invisible enemy was attacking the civilians as well as the “front line” with vigor.

We have attempted to learn on the fly and use our intelligence to develop a defensive strategy against the enemy’s ever-changing tactics and learn from prior battlefronts.

This …

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You need a break from the front lines of health care

10 replaceable thoughts (and 15 books) to help you survive burnout

Physician
May 20, 2021

Physicians are leaving the broken medical system at unprecedented rates. We continue through a war with an uncertain liberation day, and we are exhausted. Meanwhile, the only battlefront in which we have control is that of our mind. We have not been taught how to tame this beast. If we hope to thrive in medicine, we need to “capture our thoughts” and redirect how these result in feelings, actions, and …

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10 replaceable thoughts (and 15 books) to help you survive burnout

10 ways to pay for women in medicine programs

Physician
April 26, 2021

“That’s great. You want to start a women in medicine program! How are you going to pay for it?”

This is the most common question and potential barrier from colleagues, leaders, and those who understand the value of these programs.  We found that our two-year Women Leaders in Medicine program improved burnout, retention, and engagement of the over 400 women physicians who participated.  However, funding remained the chronic barrier to sustainability.

We …

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10 ways to pay for women in medicine programs