Colin West
@colinwestmdphd.bsky.social
Professor of Medicine, Medical Education, and Biostatistics at Mayo Clinic. Medical Director, Employee Well-Being. Medical education and evidence-based medicine. Dad jokes, NIN, and Oxford commas. Posts mine.
9/ Next week I will link to a number of references illustrating many of the points brought forward by this second issue in the thematic series on well-being across the physician life cycle /fin
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
9/ Next week I will link to a number of references illustrating many of the points brought forward by this second issue in the thematic series on well-being across the physician life cycle /fin
8/ There is much more in this paper, wellworth reading and bookmarking for both its primary content and its reference list
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
The Early Career Phase: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Career Life Cycle
This article is the second chapter in a series of 5 articles considering the different
stages of physicians’ career life cycle. The present article focuses on exploring
the early career phase. The ear...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
8/ There is much more in this paper, wellworth reading and bookmarking for both its primary content and its reference list
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
7/ Organizationally-sponsored coaching and peer group interventions are evidence-based approaches to promote well-being, including COMPASS groups
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Colleagues Meeting to Promote and Sustain Satisfaction (COMPASS) Groups for Physician Well-Being
To evaluate physician small groups to promote physician well-being in a scenario with
provided discussion topics but without trained facilitators, and for which protected
time was not provided but mea...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
7/ Organizationally-sponsored coaching and peer group interventions are evidence-based approaches to promote well-being, including COMPASS groups
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
6/ As for the other papers in this series, there is a rich table outlining these challenges and potential organizational solutions to address them. I will continue to emphasize that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
6/ As for the other papers in this series, there is a rich table outlining these challenges and potential organizational solutions to address them. I will continue to emphasize that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
5/ Early career is also a critical time to establish personal and professional priorities and boundaries. The “survival mode” of training must give way to a more integrated and sustainable approach to honoring one’s care values
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
5/ Early career is also a critical time to establish personal and professional priorities and boundaries. The “survival mode” of training must give way to a more integrated and sustainable approach to honoring one’s care values
4/ For those in academia, faculty appointments and the foundations of career advancement are initiated. For those in private practice, the business of medicine offers a steep learning curve
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
4/ For those in academia, faculty appointments and the foundations of career advancement are initiated. For those in private practice, the business of medicine offers a steep learning curve
3/ Lifelong financial planning is essential but often overlooked, especially as physicians start families and manage heavy loan repayment burdens
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
3/ Lifelong financial planning is essential but often overlooked, especially as physicians start families and manage heavy loan repayment burdens
2/ The early career phase marks the physician’s transition to independent clinical practice, a massive milestone. Concurrently, professional identity and professional community are more firmly established
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 PM
2/ The early career phase marks the physician’s transition to independent clinical practice, a massive milestone. Concurrently, professional identity and professional community are more firmly established
7/ Next week I’ll summarize the 2nd paper in this series, on early career physicians /fin
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
7/ Next week I’ll summarize the 2nd paper in this series, on early career physicians /fin
6/ Again, the source paper in the series in Mayo Clinic Proceedings on well-being across the stages of a medical career is a terrific read
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Care...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Care...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Career Life Cycle
Being a physician offers tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives
of patients through meaningful work. A career in medicine is also demanding and challenging.
Some challenges to well-b...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
6/ Again, the source paper in the series in Mayo Clinic Proceedings on well-being across the stages of a medical career is a terrific read
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Care...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Care...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
5/ Destigmatizing mental health help-seeking as we support learners is essential – we can role model these behaviors and help learners understand that they can experience the full range of human experiences just like all other humans (shocking, I know)
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
journals.lww.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
5/ Destigmatizing mental health help-seeking as we support learners is essential – we can role model these behaviors and help learners understand that they can experience the full range of human experiences just like all other humans (shocking, I know)
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
4/ Dr. Will Bynum at Duke has directed attention to shame in medical education, including among residents in training
Sentinel Emotional Events: The Nature, Triggers, and... : @acadmedjournal.bsky.social journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
Sentinel Emotional Events: The Nature, Triggers, and... : @acadmedjournal.bsky.social journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
journals.lww.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
4/ Dr. Will Bynum at Duke has directed attention to shame in medical education, including among residents in training
Sentinel Emotional Events: The Nature, Triggers, and... : @acadmedjournal.bsky.social journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
Sentinel Emotional Events: The Nature, Triggers, and... : @acadmedjournal.bsky.social journals.lww.com/academicmedi...
3/ In surgery, from @kbilimoria.bsky.social et al.:
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training | New England Journal of Medicine www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training | New England Journal of Medicine www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training | NEJM
Physicians, particularly trainees and those in surgical subspecialties, are at risk
for burnout. Mistreatment (i.e., discrimination, verbal or physical abuse, and sexual
harassment) may contribute ...
www.nejm.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
3/ In surgery, from @kbilimoria.bsky.social et al.:
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training | New England Journal of Medicine www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training | New England Journal of Medicine www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
2/ GME trainees are vulnerable in important ways. Mistreatment is common, from patients, colleagues, and supervisors. In internal medicine:
Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents
This survey study examines the prevalence and sources of mistreatment toward internal medicine residents.
jamanetwork.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
2/ GME trainees are vulnerable in important ways. Mistreatment is common, from patients, colleagues, and supervisors. In internal medicine:
Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Colin West
5/ The paper presents a rich table outlining these challenges and organizational solutions to address them. I will emphasize once again that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Career Life Cycle
Being a physician offers tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives
of patients through meaningful work. A career in medicine is also demanding and challenging.
Some challenges to well-b...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
5/ The paper presents a rich table outlining these challenges and organizational solutions to address them. I will emphasize once again that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
10/ Next week I will link to a number of references illustrating many of the points brough forward by this first issue in the thematic series on well-being across the physician life cycle. We’ll then continue with a series of threads presented as dyads in similar fashion /fin
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
10/ Next week I will link to a number of references illustrating many of the points brough forward by this first issue in the thematic series on well-being across the physician life cycle. We’ll then continue with a series of threads presented as dyads in similar fashion /fin
9/ My own experiences as an educator have consistently reinforced for me that our trainees are deeply committed to their patients and their own excellence, and deserve our respect as they strive to excel on the same career development journeys we made before them
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
9/ My own experiences as an educator have consistently reinforced for me that our trainees are deeply committed to their patients and their own excellence, and deserve our respect as they strive to excel on the same career development journeys we made before them
8/ We also need to stop the “generational warfare” sniping – training now typically involves fewer hours but in many ways has replaced those hours with increased work intensity and other unique demands. We should focus more on supporting one another – the work is hard enough as it is!
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
8/ We also need to stop the “generational warfare” sniping – training now typically involves fewer hours but in many ways has replaced those hours with increased work intensity and other unique demands. We should focus more on supporting one another – the work is hard enough as it is!
7/ Regardless of the specific tactics employed, those that amplify supportive and inclusive cultures within which trainees can grow to their fullest potential should be prioritized. Destigmatizing mental health help-seeking is essential, as is mutual respect in the training setting
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
7/ Regardless of the specific tactics employed, those that amplify supportive and inclusive cultures within which trainees can grow to their fullest potential should be prioritized. Destigmatizing mental health help-seeking is essential, as is mutual respect in the training setting
6/ The paper also touches on the role of unions. These have not to date demonstrated positive effects on burnout, but other benefits have been observed. There are also potential downsides, so this issue is complex
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
6/ The paper also touches on the role of unions. These have not to date demonstrated positive effects on burnout, but other benefits have been observed. There are also potential downsides, so this issue is complex
5/ The paper presents a rich table outlining these challenges and organizational solutions to address them. I will emphasize once again that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
Residency and Fellowship: Fostering Physician Well-being Over the Career Life Cycle
Being a physician offers tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives
of patients through meaningful work. A career in medicine is also demanding and challenging.
Some challenges to well-b...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
5/ The paper presents a rich table outlining these challenges and organizational solutions to address them. I will emphasize once again that sustaining and strengthening resilience is relevant but CANNOT be the primary solution to physician well-being
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S002...
4/ Additional considerations for GME trainees include sometimes-maladaptive perfectionist tendencies selected for over decades of academic challenge; imposter phenomenon; low self-valuation; shame; and the stress of feeling constantly evaluated and criticized
November 5, 2025 at 3:36 PM
4/ Additional considerations for GME trainees include sometimes-maladaptive perfectionist tendencies selected for over decades of academic challenge; imposter phenomenon; low self-valuation; shame; and the stress of feeling constantly evaluated and criticized