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

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.”
—Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety and The Craving Mind

“Dr. Gazelle’s vast work at the intersection of healthcare and contemplative practice is presented in this book with the perfect balance of background science and practical tips for incorporating these transformative practices into our daily lives. This book is a gift to all physicians and true caregivers, especially those facing the day-to-day challenges of modern healthcare. It should be required reading for all medical trainees and practitioners.”
—Jonathan Fisher, MD, Co-Founder and Chair, Ending Clinician Burnout Global Community and Summits