What a dragonfly teaches physicians about burnout and self-compassion

After 20 years as a pediatrician, she stopped believing burnout meant she couldn't hack it. The problem was never her. In this episode, pediatrician and physician career development coach Gita Balakumar reframes burnout as a systemic burden wrongly blamed on the individual, and offers a different way to think about it. This episode is based on her article "What physicians and dragonflies share in resilience and agility," published on KevinMD. Drawing on the dragonfly, an insect revered across cultures for transformation and resilience, she explains why the demands of medicine ask physicians to keep evolving. You will hear why self-compassion is a foundation and not a luxury, how career coaching helps physicians name what they actually value, and why the idea that doctors just aren't resilient enough is a fallacy. Hear why she says the most resilient people in medicine still deserve compassion, and that seeking support is a strength, not a failure. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast