In this episode of the Healthcare Leadership Excellence Podcast, I have the pleasure of welcoming back Dr. Rob Orman, an expert on physician burnout. Today, we’re tackling an issue that hits home for so many in healthcare: the overwhelming weight of burnout. Too often, solutions offered are superficial—recommending yoga mats or meditation apps for quick fixes. But burnout is deep-seated, and what Dr. Orman brings to the table is a truly comprehensive, thoughtful approach to not just coping, but preventing burnout, in a meaningful way.

Dr. Orman shares his concept of "N+1," which I find compelling and invaluable. The idea is simple yet powerful: in addition to the core clinical work, healthcare professionals can enhance resilience by nurturing an “N+1” pursuit. This “plus one” can be a passion project, a creative endeavor, or an advocacy role, so long as it’s something that invigorates rather than drains.

We also touch on the importance of subtraction in managing burnout—sometimes the best move isn’t adding an activity but removing those extra obligations that drain more than they give back.

For anyone experiencing or witnessing signs of burnout, I encourage you to pause and take stock. Burnout doesn’t just resolve itself, but with the right approach—one that’s purpose-driven and deeply personal—you can reignite your passion for healthcare.

Rob’s contact information is in our show notes, and I urge anyone feeling the strain or seeing it in a colleague to connect with him.

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