237. Navigating Healthcare Drama: Setting Boundaries and Responding with Intention

The Mindful Healers Podcast with Dr. Jessie Mahoney and Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang

From the frustrations of systemic inefficiencies to personal boundaries, this episode will help you reflect on how you respond to healthcare-related stress—and how to make intentional choices that protect your well-being while still contributing to change.

Healthcare is an incredibly human profession, full of complexity and challenge.

Do you jump into collective suffering? Are you overwhelmed by the anger, frustration, and outrage surrounding healthcare issues? Learn how to step back and assess whether you’re taking on more than you need to.

Do you have the Savior Complex? Do you feel responsible for fixing everything, from patient care to systemic issues? You can learn to manage your capacity and avoid burnout while still being an advocate for change.

How much healthcare "drama" can you hold in your life without compromising your mental and emotional well-being? It's crucial to know what you can manage and when to step back.

In healthcare, both with colleagues and patients, practice mindful communication—asking good questions, being curious, and resisting judgment. It can make all the difference in improving the patient experience.

What’s reasonable for you to take on, both in your professional and personal life? It's okay to acknowledge systemic problems without internalizing them.

Can you accept the current state of healthcare without allowing it to consume you? Can you be curious about your feelings and reactions, and focus on how you can respond with intention rather than getting caught in blame or shame? Can you stop internalizing and owning every inefficiency and systemic flaw and remember that they don’t reflect your abilities or worth as a physician?

What would be different if you stayed in your own lane -- focusing on what you can control - being present with your patients, communicating effectively with colleagues, or managing your own mental health?

Could you stop internalizing and owning every inefficiency and systemic flaw? They don’t reflect your abilities or worth.

Reflection Questions:

• What’s your role in the healthcare system, and where is it appropriate to set boundaries?

• How much of the collective healthcare suffering are you taking on?

• How do you stay compassionate while not overextending yourself?

• When was the last time you celebrated something that went well in the healthcare system?

• How can you practice non-judgment and curiosity in your day-to-day interactions with patients and colleagues?

Reminder: The content of this podcast is not medical or life advice.