Photo Credit: Banphote Kamolsanei
Dr. Cecily D. Havert advocates for rebuilding healthcare from within through contemplative care and systemic changes that combat burnout and foster compassion.
In her article, Navigating the Complexities of a Strained Medical System, my colleague at Northern Virginia Family Practice Associates (NVFP), Dr. Cecily D. Havert, builds on her earlier work discussing the rising incidence of healthcare burnout and using contemplative care to rediscover compassion and combat these negative forces. For Dr. Havert, healthcare professionals and caregivers can learn much from Buddhist principles to reduce burnout and enhance care. Using one’s moral compass or “right view” as a guide, one can aim the compass on one’s north star by “right (or skillful) intention.” This involves resetting one’s perspective and turning it into action, ultimately replacing suffering with compassion.
The Problem: Healthcare Burnout & Moral Injury
Our broken medical system leads to what Dr. Havert describes as the “depersonalized conveyor belt” of care, generating moral injury for healthcare professionals and caregivers. Physicians, nurses, and other caregivers are increasingly overwhelmed by administrative tasks that detract from the art of medicine. For instance, physicians spend nearly two hours on electronic health record tasks for every one hour of direct patient care. Medicine is shifting from focusing on patients to managing the “iPatient,” a term that reflects the digitalization of care. This shift erodes emotional connections and leads to burnout.
Matthieu Ricard, a molecular genetics expert turned monk, explains how healthcare professionals can suffer “empathy fatigue,” which happens when caregivers are overwhelmed by their patients’ pain. Emotional exhaustion—a feeling of no longer having the energy to face the challenges ahead—limits caregivers’ ability to form meaningful relationships. This creates a harmful cycle where healthcare professionals lose their sense of purpose, and patients receive less compassionate care.
The Role of Contemplative Care in Healing
Dr. Havert emphasizes the importance of contemplative care, a practice rooted in mindfulness and compassion. Contemplative care involves developing awareness of one’s inner experiences and creating space for intentional, empathetic responses rather than reactive ones. This approach allows caregivers to maintain emotional balance while remaining present with their patients. By integrating mindfulness practices—such as pausing to take a deep breath, setting intentions before patient interactions, or reflecting on meaningful moments—caregivers can rediscover their purpose and better navigate the demands of their roles.
Compassion, grounded in intention and action, is central to this approach. It’s not just “feeling for” someone—it’s being moved to act in ways that alleviate suffering. Ricard describes altruistic love as a mindset that benefits both the patient and the caregiver, creating a sustainable cycle of healing and resilience. Dr. Havert believes that integrating these principles can rekindle purpose and connection, even in a strained system.
Systemic Solutions: Rebuilding the Foundation of Healthcare
Burnout doesn’t come from “doctoring”—it stems from the administrative burdens that distract caregivers from their calling. Recognizing this, many healthcare systems treat burnout as a public health issue. Solutions such as wellness programs are helpful but insufficient when the core challenges lie outside an individual’s control.
At NVFP, compassion is central to the care model for patients and professionals. This means reducing the administrative workload and prioritizing meaningful interactions over efficiency metrics. For example, NVFP fosters team collaboration and dedicates time to profoundly listening to patients, which helps rebuild trust and purpose in the profession.
While systemic reforms are essential, grassroots efforts within practices can also make a difference. Compassion is not just a personal trait; it’s a culture that requires deliberate cultivation. Small actions—like creating moments of mindfulness during the workday or encouraging teamwork—can set the foundation for more significant changes.
A Path Forward
Healthcare burnout is not inevitable. Integrating contemplative care into daily practice and systemic reforms can create environments where patients and caregivers thrive. As Dr. Havert reminds us, compassion isn’t just about reducing suffering, it’s about finding purpose and humanity in the healing process. Each small, intentional step—taking a mindful pause, reimagining workflows, or fostering a supportive culture—can create ripples of positive change. Together, we can rebuild healthcare to honor its true essence: a profession rooted in care, connection, and compassion.
