Author: Mursi.MD

Health Maintenance/

How to Improve Your Good Cholesterol & Lower Risk of Heart Disease

How to Improve Your Good Cholesterol & Lower Risk of Heart Disease

When focusing on the normal levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol) and disregarding the levels of HDL (the good cholesterol), we may falsely believe we are at low risk of heart disease. Low HDL puts you at risk for heart disease even if your LDL is normal. GET YOUR HDL UP. Keep reading to learn how!

Not all physicians walk through the blood tests after getting blood work done, one reason being that they are crunching for time. I don’t particularly like simply stating to my patients that their cholesterol is high and they need to improve their diet and then moving on with the conversation. I like explaining the numbers and discussing HOW they need improvement, including beneficial supplements. 

If you haven’t read my blog post “HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE BY GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHOLESTEROL LAB TEST,” in which I break down the components of the lipid panel, I suggest reading that first.  

Delivering Bad News as a Physician
The Struggle: Doctoring by Day, Studying by Night
Less Medication! Nurturing Growth through Lifestyle Changes in Healthcare

Why is HDL important?

HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is often referred to as “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, from the bloodstream. HDL carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s processed and eliminated from the body. Because HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, reducing plaque buildup in the arteries, higher HDL cholesterol levels are associated with a LOWER risk of heart disease.

What is considered low?

  1. For men: HDL cholesterol levels below 40 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are considered low.
  2. For women: HDL cholesterol levels below 50 mg/dL are considered low.

What is a good HDL level to aim for?

Ideally, you want HDL above 60 – the higher, the better!!!

How do I improve my HDL levels?

1. Healthy Diet: 

Eating a heart-healthy diet can help improve HDL levels. Focus on consuming a high-fiber diet, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains; eating healthy fats regularly; and limiting saturated and eliminating trans fats, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels.

Examples of foods containing high levels of healthy fats such as omega-3: 

Fatty Fish: Fatty fish are one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Consume two servings a week of fatty fish. 
Examples include:
   – Salmon
   – Mackerel
   – Sardines
   – Trout
   – Herring
   – Anchovies
   – Tuna (especially albacore or yellowfin tuna)

Check out my blog page on my residency experiences.

Walnuts: Walnuts are unique among nuts because they contain a significant amount of ALA omega-3 fatty acids. They make a convenient and tasty snack or can be added to salads, oatmeal, or baked goods.

Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are rich sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Ground flaxseeds can be sprinkled on yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies, while flaxseed oil can be used in salad dressings or added to dishes after cooking.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are another excellent plant-based source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids. They can be added to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal or used to make chia seed pudding.

Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and a good source of protein and fiber. They can be sprinkled on salads, yogurt, or blended into smoothies.

Read the blog post on reducing your risk of heart disease by getting to know your cholesterol lab test.

Soybeans and Soy Products: Soybeans and soy products such as tofu and edamame contain ALA omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating these into your diet can help boost your omega-3 intake, especially if you follow a plant-based diet.

Sea Vegetables: Certain types of sea vegetables, such as seaweed and algae, contain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA. These are commonly consumed in Asian cuisines and are also available in supplement form for those who don’t consume fish or fish oil.

2. Regular Exercise: 

Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling), can raise HDL cholesterol levels. As recommended by health guidelines, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.

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3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: 

If overweight or obese, decreasing calorie intake and losing excess weight can help improve HDL levels. Even modest weight loss can have a positive impact on HDL cholesterol. Focusing on cutting down on simple carbohydrates and increasing protein will help lose weight while lowering cholesterol. 

4. Quit Smoking:

Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol levels and increases the risk of heart disease. Quitting smoking can lead to an increase in HDL cholesterol over time.

5. Taking Omega-3 supplements 

In addition to incorporating omega-3-rich foods into your diet, you may need to take supplements to improve your HDL. Fish oil supplements, in particular, are a popular choice for boosting omega-3 levels. They typically contain high concentrations of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), two types of omega-3 fatty acids that have been extensively studied for their cardiovascular benefits. Taking fish oil supplements can quickly obtain concentrated doses of EPA and DHA, which may help raise your HDL cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health. 

The major key to improving your cholesterol to lower your risk of heart disease and preventing chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, impotence, and loss of mental acuity is to improve your nutritional intake. Focus on increasing your intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Avoid fried foods, refined carbohydrates, and trans-fats. By simply cutting down on simple carbohydrates (the big four – potato, bread, pasta, rice) and increasing protein, it can dramatically reduce your cholesterol levels.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you did, please share this on your social media and with friends and family!

Check out my other blog posts related to your well-being on my health page. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on my social media platforms (IG, TikTok)!

Health Maintenance/

How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease by Getting to Know Your Cholesterol Lab Test

How to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease by Getting to Know Your Cholesterol Lab Test

Your doctor will check your lipid panel at least once a year. A lipid panel is a blood test measuring various cholesterol and fats in your bloodstream. It generally includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. It may also measure VLDL and non-HDL cholesterol. While this test is not the best predictive marker, it is what is commonly used to evaluate for risk of cardiovascular disease. Advanced lipid testing with better predictive risk factors include lioprotein subfractions and particle sizes in addition to the lipid markers and inflammatory markers. In this post we will be talking about the commonly used marker that evaluates for risk of cardiovascular disease, the lipid panel.

Not all physicians walk through the blood tests after getting blood work done, one reason being that they are crunching for time. I don’t particularly like simply stating to my patients that their cholesterol is high and they need to improve their diet and then moving on with the conversation. I like explaining the numbers and discussing HOW they need improvement, including beneficial supplements. 

Teaching what the values represent, the levels we need to aim for, and the changes we need to make really clarifies and motivates patients to improve their lifestyles. Repeating their lipid panel in 6-12 months tells us if their changes are making a difference. 

Here is what each value typically indicates: 

1. Total cholesterol: 

This measures the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including both “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, as well as very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. It should generally be less than 200. Since total cholesterol includes “good cholesterol,” I don’t focus on this when discussing the results with my patients; I go into the breakdown. 

Check out my blog page on my medical school experiences

2. Triglycerides:

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, especially when combined with high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol. Although this is a type of fat in the vessels, high triglyceride correlates with excess calorie intake, a high-carb diet (refined carbohydrates), and lack of exercise. It should be less than 150, but ideally less than 100, and the lower the better.

3. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: 

Physicians often overlook high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. HDL is called the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries. HDL is a protein that transports cholesterol from the cells and blood vessels back to the liver to be broken down or reprocessed. Therefore, we want more HDL to be around to get rid of the excess cholesterol and prevent it from causing damage.

Higher HDL cholesterol level is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Low HDL levels correlate with low intake of healthy fats like omega-3 in our diet, lack of exercise, and high levels of bad cholesterol. Ideally, you want HDL above 60; the higher, the better. You can read my blog post on improving your good cholesterol and lowering your bad cholesterol! 

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4. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol:

LDL is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. LDL is the protein that carries cholesterol from the liver (where it is produced) to the blood vessels to transport the cholesterol to cells throughout the body. Cholesterol is an essential component of every cell in our body. However, when there is excess cholesterol production, LDL cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, leading to atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

A diet consisting largely of cholesterol-rich foods like fried foods, sweet baked goods, and trans-fat-containing foods increases LDL. For low-risk, non-diabetic patients, LDL should be less than 100. For those at high risk, such as those with diabetes, LDL should be less than 70. 

5. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol: 

VLDL is a type of lipoprotein that carries triglycerides in the blood. Elevated VLDL cholesterol levels can also increase the risk of heart disease, but this is not always calculated as part of your lipid (cholesterol) panel.

6. Non-HDL cholesterol: 

This is calculated by subtracting HDL cholesterol from the total cholesterol. It measures all the “bad” cholesterol in your blood, including LDL and VLDL cholesterol. Non-HDL cholesterol is considered a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL cholesterol alone. For low-risk patients, this should be less than 130. For high-risk patients, such as those with diabetes, it should be <100 or even less than 70 based on their comorbidities.

Read my blog post on How to Improve Your Good Cholesterol & Lower Risk of Heart Disease

MY DOCTOR SAID MY LIPID PANEL LOOKS GOOD, BUT AFTER READING THIS, I DO NOTICE THAT MY HDL IS LOW, AND I AM AT HIGH RISK OF HEART DISEASE! How do I improve my good cholesterol? Please read my blog post on how to improve your good cholesterol! 

I hope that this is helpful to you and that you feel empowered to improve your health. If you found this useful, please share it on social media and with friends and family.  

Go to my Health page to check out additional blog posts related to health topics. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on my social media platforms (IG, TikTok)!

Medical School/

Delivering Bad News As a Physician

During my hospice rotation in residency, Dr. B, the hospice director, asked me questions that really caught me off guard. The rhetorical questions went like this: “Are you uncomfortable delivering bad news to patients because you are projecting your feelings? Are you uncomfortable with death, and therefore, you have a hard time talking about it?”

During this time, my mom was still battling breast cancer. When Dr. B posed these questions to me, I was taken aback. I looked him straight in the eyes, and as I repeated his questions in my head, I began to feel a sense of confusion. Am I uncomfortable talking about death because I am uncomfortable with the idea of death? Am I afraid of my mom dying because I don’t want to feel the pain of her loss? Am I afraid of dying? Am I projecting my fear onto my mom?

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When caring for someone kind and loving, you want to ensure they feel your love and joy in return. You want them to have everything they could ever want. How do you give them everything when you don’t have the most important thing to offer, time? When I posed this question to Dr. B, he reminded me that projecting my own emotions onto my mom was not helpful. Those are your emotions; you may be projecting pain onto her when she just needs your presence of joy and love. Your mother likely has her own fears and anxieties, and projecting your own onto her would only make things worse.

As physicians, we have many responsibilities, including delivering bad news. Instead of learning how to deliver news, we should learn how to manage our own emotions to deliver news more effectively.

Death is a complex topic that affects everyone. It is an inevitable part of life that we all have to face. From the moment we are born, we carry a proverbial ticking bomb inside us that will eventually go off, whether it is in two years or over a hundred. It doesn’t matter what our personal preferences are; death comes for us all and maybe there is beauty in that.

Medicine Life/

The Struggle: Doctoring by Day, Studying by Night

Being a doctor is a noble and rewarding profession, but it has its own challenges. One of the things that people need to realize is how tired doctors get after caring for patients all day. Also, doctors must keep learning and studying to keep up with new research and treatments. This can be tough when they’re already tired. In this article, we’ll talk about how doctors deal with this struggle and how we can balance our work and studies.

The Exhaustion: A Doctor’s Daily Dose

As doctors, we must make crucial decisions, work long hours, and care for our patients’ emotional wellbeing. This can take a toll on our mental and physical energy. After a long day at work, even the most resilient doctors can feel drained, exhausted, and emotionally spent.

Click here to read about setting boundaries to improve your life as a healthcare professional

The Challenge of Continued Learning

Doctors must keep learning new things about medicine, from new treatments to research. We have to keep up with the latest developments in our field, which means studying on our own time outside of work.

The Struggle to Study: A Balancing Act

With our busy lifestyle, it takes work to balance our medical career and our studies. Even though we are already tired, we must read textbooks, research papers, and medical literature to stay current. This can mean giving up our free time and resting hours.

Coping Strategies for Physician Scholars

  1. Create a Structured Schedule:
    Make a study schedule that fits in with work commitments. Set specific time slots for study sessions, and make sure they’re manageable and manageable.
  2. Prioritize Self-Care:
    Taking care of oneself is crucial for wellbeing. Good sleep, healthy food, and regular exercise help maintain the energy levels required for both work and study.
  3. Utilize Breaks Effectively:
    Use work breaks to study a little. Studying a bit during the day is better than cramming it all in at night.
  4. Seek Support and Connection:
    Make friends with colleagues who understand the challenges. Share experiences, tips, and resources to make the burden bearable. Check out the 5 study tips I wish I listened to on YouTube
  5. Set Realistic Goals:
    Set achievable short-term and long-term goals for studying. This will help manage expectations and give a sense of accomplishment. Click here to listen to study tips for students from doctors

The Shared Journey
As doctors, we have the power to change people’s lives for the better. While it can be challenging to balance work and studies, always remember that your health is just as important. By prioritizing self-care and setting healthy boundaries, we can avoid burnout and continue providing our patients with the best care possible. Keep pushing forward, and always remember our positive impact on the world.

I hope this was helpful! Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

General Medicine/

Less Medication! Nurturing Growth through Lifestyle Changes in Healthcare

It is great to see the shift among Millennial physicians towards a more holistic approach to healthcare. Instead of solely relying on medication, this approach emphasizes the significance of lifestyle changes. It involves addressing individual behaviors, empowering patients, and adopting a collaborative approach to overall well-being. I believe we can attribute this positive change to the “woke” culture to some extent. What are your thoughts on this?

The Changing Landscape of Patient Care:

In the past, medication was frequently the primary method of treating patients. However, healthcare professionals now recognize that this approach has its limitations. The emphasis nowadays is on how lifestyle choices impact overall health. As a result, personalized interventions are often more effective than a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.

Education and Empowerment:

Giving patients knowledge about how their lifestyle choices affect their health is critical to this approach. As healthcare professionals, we now act as teachers, informing patients about how their daily decisions impact their health outcomes. The goal is to help patients understand their role in their healthcare journey.

Addressing Root Causes:

Addressing underlying issues is critical to this approach. We are now looking more closely at lifestyle factors contributing to health issues. Instead of just treating symptoms, we focus on understanding and preventing problems.

Personalized Medicine in Lifestyle Interventions:

Using personalized medicine in lifestyle interventions is a big step forward. Tailoring interventions to the patient’s characteristics recognizes that everyone’s needs and responses differ. Using technology and data, we can personalize interventions and make them more effective.

Collaborative Healthcare:

Collaboration is becoming more and more critical in healthcare. Working together as a team is crucial in achieving optimal health outcomes. This means that healthcare professionals and patients must work together as partners in the healthcare journey.

Inspiring Growth and Change:

Prioritizing lifestyle changes is not just about reducing risk factors; it’s also about inspiring growth. Encouraging patients to embrace positive lifestyle changes is critical. Success stories can be inspiring, showing patients how small changes can make a big difference to their health.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Like any significant change, there are challenges. It’s essential to address the barriers to implementing lifestyle-focused care. But these challenges also create opportunities for growth and development. Adapting to the changing healthcare landscape means embracing change and continuously refining approaches.

Click here to read about how you can improve your nutritional health with vitamin K2 supplementation.

In conclusion, the shift towards prioritizing lifestyle changes in healthcare is a big deal. It’s a move away from just relying on medication and towards a more complete approach that includes growth, collaboration, and personalized, holistic care. By working together, healthcare professionals and patients can shape the future of healthcare for the better.

I hope this was helpful! Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Medicine Life/

How I Deal With Complex Grief

When you lose someone to cancer or an unfortunate cause, you can lose everything along with them. Your reason, your cause, your motivation. Life can become less meaningful. Hell, it can even feel pointless. 

So, how do you find a reason again? How do you stop holding on to the pain?

You will get great advice and reminders about letting go of pain, which is a gradual process that requires patience and self-compassion. It is essential to recognize that healing does not mean forgetting or diminishing the significance of the loss. And it involves finding a way to integrate the experience into your life, allowing it to shape you without defining you. Sure, that all makes sense. But how do you actually do it? How do you redefine your reason when any reason you think of is not good enough? 

Read my blog post on how to establish and communicate boundaries effectively.

To be honest, I am still figuring that out. Right now, I have concluded that when we lose meaningful reasons, when we are in this complex grief, when anything and everything is just not feeling enough to explain a loss, it is okay to not need a reason. 

Maybe you just keep going anyway until a reason is good enough. You keep going to find that reason. 

Yesterday marked 2 years of my mom’s passing to breast cancer. I am in a new space and just doing it regardless of what, why, how, where, when, and how long. I am just being, and right now, that is good enough for me. 

She isn’t here, but she is in me. And just like she showed us strength, I will keep having strength. I love you, Mom. 

Check out my YouTube Video for my update on life during these difficult times.

I hope you find meaning in this post. If you are having a difficult time and thoughts of suicide, please, seek professional help. You matter. You can dial 988 to reach the suicide hotline.

Medicine Life/

“Work Harder on Yourself, Not Your Job”

Check out my style video on Instagram, inspiring this blog post.

I have recently started thinking differently about my life and my priorities. I have become more aware of where I invest my energy, and now I am committed to myself more than ever before.

I’m proud of the person I was, who pushed herself to attain her career goals. She wanted to work hard for her parents, the women of Afghanistan, and the American Dream.

While I am proud of my professional achievements, I have come to understand that I need to prioritize my own personal growth and well-being. I have decided to commit myself to this new perspective and am excited to see where it takes me.

Your Job vs. You:

Your job is only a part of who you are. While it’s commendable to excel in your profession, true fulfillment comes from becoming the best version of yourself.

It’s a shift from the external to the internal, from the job defining you to you defining your path.

Investing in Personal Growth:

Working on yourself involves committing to continuous learning and self-improvement. Whether developing new skills, honing existing ones, or caring for your physical and mental well-being, investing in personal growth pays off in all areas of your life.

I may be scared by how much I neglected my health during medical school and residency. If I had taken better care of myself, maybe I wouldn’t have the regrets I have now. I also wouldn’t have struggled so much, constantly in anxiety, placing constant stress on my body.

Balancing & Building My Focus:

I am setting and keeping boundaries related to everything else around me. Read my blog post on the Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician.

It’s not about neglecting my job but finding a balance that allows me to excel professionally while fostering personal growth.

As you work harder on yourself, you bring renewed energy and passion to your job, creating a positive feedback loop.

Remember, success is not just a destination but a journey of continuous improvement and self-discovery.

Much love,

General Medicine/

Carepod One Stainless Steel: The Humidifier That Redefines Comfort

Quiet, Stylish, Smart: The Humidifier that Redefines Comfort

As a family medicine physician, I frequently suggest practical solutions to common household health issues. One of my consistently recommended solutions is the use of a dependable humidifier, particularly during the dry winter season or in homes with central heating systems.

I was searching for a humidifier for myself (to take my own advice), and at perfect timing, I was gifted the Carepod One Stainless Steel Humidifier! After using it for over a month, here is what I think about it, and I have A LOT to say:

Health Benefits, Design & Practicality

First and foremost, the Carepod One Stainless Steel Humidifier has a sleek and modern design, seamlessly blending into any room decor (this holds great significance for me, given that I am that person who prefers neutral colors in their home). It is also compact and practical, allowing easy placement without taking up much space.

From a medical perspective, maintaining proper humidity levels in indoor environments is crucial for respiratory health. The Carepod One Stainless Steel Humidifier effectively addresses this concern by offering adjustable humidity settings.

This flexibility is particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies, as it helps create an environment less conducive to irritants.

Many humidifiers can be noisy, causing disturbances during sleep or work. However, the Carepod One operates quietly, enhancing its suitability in bedrooms or quiet spaces.

The Carepod One has a user-friendly interface. Operating the device is a breeze, with simple controls. The LED display provides clear information on humidity levels and allows for precise adjustments, ensuring optimal comfort for users.

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Maintenance & Hygiene

What ultimately determines a humidifier’s success or failure is the maintenance procedure (needing a humidifier that is easy to maintain is important for my busy lifestyle). It is essential to adhere to a proper hygiene regimen to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and mold, safeguarding against inhaling potential contaminants.

The Carepod One has an easy-to-clean design with detachable components, making regular maintenance straightforward. Additionally, the antimicrobial technology integrated into the humidifier helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold, promoting a healthier living environment.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, as a family medicine physician, I highly recommend the Carepod One Stainless Steel Humidifier for those seeking a reliable solution for maintaining indoor humidity levels. Its stylish design, user-friendly interface, easy-to-clean design, and quiet operation make it a standout choice in the market. Investing in the Carepod One is a step toward creating a healthier and more comfortable home environment, especially during the challenging winter months.

Medicine Life/

The Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician

Physicians, Set Your Boundaries to Avoid Burnout.
The Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician

As an attending physician, the transition from residency to a full-fledged medical career can be exhilarating yet demanding. The responsibility of patient care, administrative duties, and the perpetual demands of the healthcare field can quickly blur the lines between personal and professional life. The most essential skill that is crucial for a successful and sustainable medical career is the art of setting boundaries.

The Importance of Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just a luxury; it is necessary for both personal well-being and professional efficacy. Setting clear boundaries enables attending physicians to perform optimally while preventing burnout and exhaustion. Here’s a closer look at how setting boundaries can positively impact your career:

Preserving Personal Time

Attending physicians often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities, making it challenging to differentiate between work and personal time. Establishing boundaries helps carve out sacred moments for self-care, family, and personal pursuits. Whether it’s a regular exercise routine, family dinners, or simply downtime for relaxation, protecting these moments is crucial for long-term career satisfaction.

Enhancing Focus and Productivity

Setting boundaries allows physicians to prioritize tasks efficiently, leading to increased focus and productivity during working hours. When boundaries are clearly defined, attending physicians can allocate time for patient care, administrative duties, and professional development without feeling overwhelmed.

Preventing Burnout

Physician burnout is a pervasive issue in the medical field, often fueled by an incessant workload and emotional exhaustion. Establishing limits on working hours, patient load, and non-urgent responsibilities can act as a preventive measure against burnout. Recognizing and respecting personal limitations is a vital aspect of self-preservation in the medical profession.

Practical Tips for Boundary Setting

Now that we understand the significance of boundaries, let’s explore some practical tips for implementing them in your professional life:

1. Define Clear Working Hours

Establish set working hours and stick to them as much as possible. Communicate these hours to colleagues, staff, and even patients to manage expectations effectively. Consistency in your schedule fosters a sense of predictability and control.

2. Learn to Say No

While attending physicians often want to go above and beyond for their patients and colleagues, learning to say no is a valuable skill. Prioritize tasks and commitments based on their impact and urgency, and don’t hesitate to decline non-essential requests when necessary.

3. Delegate Responsibilities

Effective delegation is key to preventing an overwhelming workload. Trust your team and delegate tasks that don’t require your direct attention. This not only lightens your load but also empowers your colleagues to contribute meaningfully to patient care.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s regular exercise, hobbies, or simply downtime for relaxation, investing in your well-being is essential for sustained success in your medical career.

5. Regularly Reassess and Adjust

Boundaries are not static; they evolve with changes in your personal and professional life. Regularly reassess your boundaries and be open to adjusting them as needed. Flexibility is key to maintaining a healthy balance.

In Conclusion

Setting boundaries as an attending physician is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your commitment to long-term success and well-being. By preserving personal time, enhancing focus, and preventing burnout, you are not only safeguarding your professional career but also ensuring that you can continue to provide exceptional care to your patients for years to come. Embrace the power of boundaries and embark on a journey towards a fulfilling and sustainable medical practice.