Why doctors burn out connecting with patients, and how to fix it

Most doctors were never taught how to sit with a patient's grief, anger, or fear without absorbing it. Eva Minkoff, a health care executive coach, and Kim Downey, a physical therapist and physician advocate, join Kevin to discuss their KevinMD article "How regulating clinical empathy prevents physician burnout." You'll hear why physicians who lean too far into patient emotion burnout, why those who shut down lose trust and treatment adherence, and why both paths end in the same exhaustion. Eva walks through her three-step framework (recognize the feeling, distinguish it from the story, address the emotion first) and explains why naming a patient's anger or grief in five seconds builds the connection that protects both the doctor and the care. Kim brings the patient view, sharing how doctors who stay present without drowning create the kind of relationship she calls sacred. If you're a clinician asking how to keep caring without burning out, listen for the five-second practice Eva walks through. True team-based care starts with you. At ChenMed, we believe the best way to care for patients is to change the way we practice medicine. When you join our team, you are empowered to lead. We've moved beyond the traditional volume-heavy model to focus on true value-based care. Our model gives you the time and resources to manage complex cases and make a lasting impact on your community. Whether you are applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or medical director position, you will feel supported by a physician-led culture that understands your challenges. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed here. You'll be rewarded with a career that offers both professional fulfillment and a better quality of life. Visit ChenMed.com/physicians-KevinMD to learn more. VISIT SPONSOR → https://ChenMed.com/physicians-KevinMD 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 RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended