Christie Mulholland

If you're a physician considering a career break, you've probably already started the mental gymnastics. You really want a break, but there's so much to consider. And if you've done any research online — skimmed a forum, lurked in a Facebook group, googled "physician career gap credentialing" — you may have quickly become intimidated and concluded it's more trouble than it's worth. The warnings are scary: falling off the "two-year cliff", malpractice coverage gaps, expensive re-entry programs, a

I was doing the dishes recently when I was hit with a stomach-dropping sensation and an unprompted memory. A negotiation I'd had years ago with my department. I had secured fair compensation for work they needed done, using the leverage I had. I walked away feeling good about it. And yet, standing at the sink with my guard down, years later, I felt a flash of guilt so unexpected it took me a moment to recognize it. Guilt. About a successful negotiation.

There is a resident doctor on TikTok named Julia who is also a raver. She posts about her training, and her weekends, dancing, festivals, après ski, living a full and visibly joyful life outside the hospital. The comments on her videos are glowing. “I would love to have a doctor like you.” “You seem like a real person.” A lot of patients are not looking for a self-sacrificing doctor who has no life. They are looking for someone present, grounded, and whole. Someone relatable. And yet the...