Episode #61: Coping with anxiety as a new attending

Many physicians experience anxiety, especially in those first few years of practice. And for some, this overwhelming worry can even be debilitating and affect both their professional and personal lives. Today’s guest, colorectal surgeon Dr. John Fondran, knows what it’s like to worry about your patients and your performance. He shares with us both his own experiences with anxiety in his first years practicing independently and also a helpful five-step process for coping with anxiety as a new attending.

In this episode we’re talking about:

Dr. Fondran’s experience with anxiety as a new attending
Why some amount of worrying is normal
How to identify intrusive levels of stress
Who you can to turn to for help
The role of getting objective feedback
How perfectionism can promote anxiety
Coping strategies that build confidence

Links for this episode:

A cool technique to reduce anxiety and be more present – Podcast Episode #7

Susan’s Story – A Surgeon’s Triumph Over Anxiety – Blog Post

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