The Physician's Physician: The Role of the Psychiatrist in Helping Other Physicians and Promoting Wellness

Psychiatrists have valuable training, knowledge, and experience to serve as champions for physician health. The prevalence of physician burnout, suicide, and depression negatively affects the health care system at a critical time when the country faces a physician shortage, increasing costs, and a push toward higher quality of care. Psychiatrists are in prime position to serve as the “Physician's Physician” and lead their organizations to increase awareness, build capacity, and drive cultural change. New leadership opportunities exist for psychiatrists, including the role of chief wellness officer, serving on physician well-being committees, and learning skills required to treat other physicians as patients.