Photo Credit: Korakrich Suntornnites

Many physicians ask themselves the question of whether or not their career accomplishments equated to true fulfillment, David Epstein, MD, searchers for an answer.

The Cost of Loneliness

I recently listened to Adam Grant’s ReThinking podcast episode, “Overcoming Loneliness with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.” The episode discussed a comprehensive plan to combat loneliness and its effect on health using various social connection recommendations. This is nicely outlined in his 2023 report.” I found something in the surgeon general’s discussion during the podcast that resonated with me toward the end.

Burnout & Fulfillment: Redefining Success Beyond Achievements

Adam Grant asked, “Do you have a favorite tip for fighting burnout?”  Surgeon General Murthy responded by relaying how he liked to watch old West Wing episodes and listen to famous speeches. He also emphasized that burnout was connected to fulfillment. Feeling fulfilled could help prevent burnout. However, what would help someone feel fulfilled? Fulfillment could not be reliably correlated with success in terms of wealth, power, prestige, or fame. He also mentioned that the trio of belonging, purpose, and service strongly predicted feeling fulfilled.

The Physician’s Journey: A Treadmill of Goals & Achievements

As physicians, much of what we have done in our careers has been moving from one goal to the next to define our success. In college, we strive for good grades, participate in non-academic activities to show our interest in caring for others and the community, and achieve the proper medical college admission test score to matriculate into medical school. Once in medical school, we strive for good grades in our classes, evaluations that exceed expectations in our clinical rotations, and high marks on our US medical licensing exams. Additionally, we continue to participate in non-academic activities to show that we are well-rounded and contribute to our community to be eligible for a residency training program in our desired medical specialty.

Once in residency training, we continue to work toward being the best physicians we can be by accruing as many outstanding evaluations on our clinical rotations as possible. Then, we eventually take our board examination to be board-certified to practice in our chosen field of medicine. We may seek further subspecialized training through a fellowship training program, for which we need to go through the same process as applying for residency training. We continue to secure good evaluations in our fellowship training and take a subspecialty board certification exam. We also apply for a medical license in the state where we wish to practice our craft at some point.

We start working by opening our private practice, joining a group of other physicians, or being hired by an institution or organization. Within these work environments, there are metrics we need to achieve, academic goals that need to be set, community engagement that is desired, and continuing education requirements that are necessary to maintain our licensing. The series of targets we aim for serves as a measure of success to keep us moving forward in our careers. The process is a constant treadmill of measuring our progress with no break in sight.

Reflecting on Success & Fulfillment

As a younger physician, I found these goals and processes essential for guidance. It helped me evolve into the physician who I am today. But, at some point, one may ask oneself, “Is that all there is?”  Does this fulfill me now that I am where I want to be? I have accumulated an “x” amount of degrees, awards, publications, grants, procedures, years in practice, etc. Is this the definition of fulfillment? As we mature in our careers, the answers to these questions become less clear. There had to be something more to create a feeling of fulfillment in one’s life and career. So, when the surgeon general mentioned that the trio of belonging, purpose, and service had a much stronger predictor of feeling fulfilled, it made me take notice.

When I think of belonging in medicine, I think of creating a community. The team I work with and the community physicians or subspecialists I engage with outside the institution are the source of this community. Creating camaraderie, connecting on a human level, and engaging in patient care with a multidisciplinary approach break down the silos that create isolation and help someone feel a part of something bigger than oneself.  Purpose speaks to looking for a deeper, intrinsic motivation beyond career accomplishments. Finally, service reinforces supporting others, whether in community service or supporting colleagues in their endeavors. Belonging, purpose, and service speak to something beyond external validations and direct one’s vision inward into the human in you.

Furthermore, the surgeon general’s insights overlap with the Professional Fulfillment Model, developed by Dr. Tait Shanafelt and his colleagues at Stanford’s WellMD & WellPhD Center.  The Professional Fulfillment Model emphasizes a culture of wellness, efficiency of practice, and personal resilience to improve physician wellness and fight off burnout. A culture of wellness fosters an environment that promotes personal and professional growth, community, and compassion for oneself and others. Efficiency of practice streamlines workplace systems and processes to reduce administrative burdens, thereby allowing physicians to focus more on patient care. Personal resilience enhances individual skills, behaviors, and attitudes, contributing to physical, emotional, and professional well-being. One can see how belonging, purpose, and service are key in all these elements.

Choosing Fulfillment: Small Steps Toward a Worthwhile Career

I am not a therapist or a wellness specialist. I am simply a physician who, like so many others, has spent years striving toward one professional milestone after another, only to realize that each success has come with its own set of new expectations and pressures. The most powerful takeaway from Dr. Murthy’s advice is this: fulfillment is not something we earn; it’s something we cultivate. In choosing to prioritize belonging, purpose, and service, we take small but meaningful steps toward a life and career that feels successful but worthwhile. So, when I wonder if that is all there is, I know there is so much more.

Have you ever experienced a moment where you questioned whether your accomplishments equated to true fulfillment? How did you manage it, and did it change your approach to your career?