Mindful MD: 6 Ways Mindfulness Restores Your Autonomy and Cures Healthcare Burnout

by Gail Gazelle

The modern healthcare system leaves doctors living out of balance, spending more time on the computer than taking care of patients, and struggling to turn off their busy minds and be present when home with loved ones. Long hours, endless bureaucracy, and profits prioritized over patient and clinician well-being strip autonomy from the healthcare workforce and induce the paralyzing anguish of self-doubt and burnout. Quitting medicine feels like the only option—how else can you reclaim the happiness and career satisfaction you find is held hostage by a broken healthcare system?

Dr. Gazelle provides physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers with a real pathway toward enjoying the careers they’ve worked so hard for in spite of the dysfunction around them—and it starts with managing their most important instrument (the mind). Drawing on her experience coaching hundreds of physicians and the latest in neuroscience research, Dr. Gazelle equips readers to step out of the spiraling thoughts and emotions of burnout and into a place of autonomy and calm. Clear and down to earth, Mindful MD gives readers the tools they need to enjoy the careers they’ve earned and break free from burnout.

Advance praise for Mindful MD
“Dr. Gazelle provides an antidote for the pain physicians feel today. Dr. Gazelle explains how mindfulness provides significant relief and how connectivity with colleagues adds joy. Reading this book is the first step.”
—Robert Pearl, MD, former CEO, Kaiser Permanente, and author of Uncaring

“There is an epidemic of physician burnout. Dr. Gazelle’s book gives us a thoughtful and supportive path not only toward healing but also wellbeing.”
—James R. Doty, MD, NYT bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop

“Physician burnout is of concern to all of us. Dr. Gazelle weaves together real-life stories of physicians and reveals mindfulness's power to help them thrive.”
—Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance

“In Mindful MD, Dr. Gail Gazelle provides practical tools to combat burnout. This is essential reading for struggling physicians.”
—Sandeep Jauhar, MD, NYT bestselling author of Doctored

“This is a timely contribution given increases in burnout around the globe. Dr. Gazelle shows a deep understanding of the stressors that physicians face and provides accessible strategies for cultivating mindfulness, an approach that bolsters autonomy and self-determination.”
—Richard Ryan, PhD, author of Self-Determination Theory

“Incredible! Dr. Gazelle helps us see the power mindfulness has to restore autonomy and humanity in healthcare.”
—Marshall Goldsmith, PhD, NYT bestselling author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“As a physician herself, Dr. Gazelle explains what makes doctors vulnerable to burnout, and prescribes the medicine—mindfulness and self-compassion practices that enhance well-being, even when the system is stacked against them.”
—Christopher Germer, PhD, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion

“We physicians need to move from martyrdom to mindfulness to save ourselves and change our systems. We can start right now by reading this book.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2023

About the author

Gail Gazelle, MD, MCC is a physician of 30 years, a Harvard Medical School part-time Assistant Professor, and a Master Certified Coach (MCC.) A certified mindfulness teacher, she integrates neuroscience, mindfulness practices, and emotional intelligence to help people thrive and combat burnout.

Dr. Gazelle believes that everyone has a deep well of resilience within them and is committed to helping readers access and build theirs. She provides resilience tips and strategies through her keynote addresses, social media presence, and blog.

Dr. Gazelle is the author of the Harvard Health Guide Mindfulness Support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers. Her innovative work has been featured by NPR, ABC, CNN, O: The Oprah Magazine, and the New England Journal of Medicine.

She lives in Boston and, when not working, can be found out in nature with her Shepherd-Lab canine bestie.

To find out more about Dr. Gazelle's work, please visit www.gailgazelle.com.

Reviews

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the selection for a book club at work. I appreciated the practical lessons but found it challenging to relate to the examples provided.

[Alvaro Francisco Hidalgo Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been suffering from a bad case of burnout, and I was recommended this book by my therapist. As skeptical as I may be, I think it’s worthwhile to try some of the things talked about. We shall see how things go, but at least it was good to know there’s many others who feel and have felt the way I’ve been feeling.

[Noelys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Que es el mindfulness y como ayuda a combatir el burnout?

Definitivamente fueron contestadas estas preguntas. Un libro que adapta la atención plena al mundo médico quizás es lo necesario para que entendamos que somos igual que el resto, seres que desean ser felices y saludables y que también nos agotamos, no somos inquebrantables. Un paso a paso sencillo y muy didáctico.

[Rachael Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was pretty interesting at first but became very repetitive. Still a good perspective

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Found the first half of the book helpful, second half less so. Easy read, but can be repetitive at times