Professional Sustainability: Addressing Physician Burnout

Physician burnout is widely recognized as a significant occupational challenge affecting clinicians across specialties. Research consistently shows high rates of burnout among physicians, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout has been associated with decreased professional satisfaction, increased risk of medical error, reduced patient engagement, and workforce instability. 

This course offers the evidence-based definition, causes, and consequences of burnout, as well as practical strategies to prevent or address it. It will provide practical strategies that support professional sustainability and clinician well-being. Clinicians often receive generalized advice regarding “self-care,” but may lack exposure to evidence-based approaches including boundary setting, recovery practices, peer support, and organizational interventions shown to reduce burnout risk. These strategies can improve clinicians’ ability to recognize burnout drivers and implement strategies that support professional performance and patient care quality.

Mark Smiley, MD, MBA
Dr. Smiley is a board-certified emergency physician, entrepreneur, and physician educator dedicated to helping clinicians build healthier, more sustainable lives through greater financial clarity and confidence. After years of practicing in high-pressure clinical environments and witnessing firsthand how financial stress can contribute to burnout, Dr. Smiley became committed to helping fellow physicians approach money with the same intentionality they bring to patient care.

Rahul Patel, MD

Dr. Patel is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, entrepreneur, inventor, and investor. Drawing on his own financial journey and having witnessed the financial struggles of his friends and fellow clinicians, Dr. Patel is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals take control of their financial future. His mission is to help clinicians develop a wealth-building mindset, achieve financial independence, and design lives that reflect their values, purpose, and vision for the future.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Medical Society of Virginia and Board Certified Wealth. The Medical Society of Virginia is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.