Navigating Possibility

Dr. Christina Adams
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Medicine
  • Weekly

Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power. Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians who feel burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck at a crossroads—ready for change, but not sure what’s next. Whether you're questioning your future in medicine, exploring nonclinical career options, or feeling the call to advocate for something bigger, this space is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OBGYN, former burned-out physician, and certified life coach. I help women physicians break free from survival mode and reconnect with the possibility, autonomy, and purpose they deserve. I’ve been where you are, and I know this truth: burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems issue. And healing requires both internal tools and collective change. In each episode, you’ll get the mindset shifts, nervous system strategies, and practical insight to help you move from overwhelm to empowerment, including: • Tools to regulate, reset, and rebuild from burnout • Real conversations about clinical and nonclinical career pivots • Stories from women rewriting what’s possible in medicine and beyond • Coaching strategies to create a sustainable, aligned career • Advocacy insights so you can use your voice to change the system • Permission to honor your limits and expand your vision This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There’s a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming their power—and you belong here. ✨ Subscribe to Navigating Possibility, share it with the women in your circle, and help spark a new future for medicine. 📬 Stay connected: • Join the email list for weekly insights and resources - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Explore coaching support on the website - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Follow along with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for grounded community and real talk It’s time to redefine what’s possible—for you, and for the future of women in medicine.

  1. 6h ago

    48: What Does Enough Actually Look Like? Redefining Success as a Woman Physician

    Have you ever reached a professional milestone you worked incredibly hard for, only to find yourself immediately thinking about what's next? The next promotion. The next leadership opportunity. The next accomplishment. The next way to prove yourself. Physicians are conditioned to strive. From medical school and residency to building a career, establishing ourselves, and pursuing professional recognition, we're accustomed to working toward the next goal. But what happens when achievement stops answering the bigger question: Is this actually the life I want? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I'm exploring what it means to redefine success as a woman physician. Not because ambition is bad or professional achievement doesn't matter, but because there comes a point when we need to ask whether the career we're building is supporting the life we actually want to live. We talk about the relationship between financial security, professional status, ambition, time, freedom, and family. We explore why the finish line can feel like it keeps moving, how we inherit other people's definitions of success, and why being capable of doing something doesn't necessarily mean we should do it. Most importantly, we consider the possibility that you don't have to wait until you're burned out or miserable to make a change. You can redesign your career because you're curious about what else is possible, because your priorities have shifted, or simply because you want something different. In this episode, we explore: Why physicians are so accustomed to pursuing the next professional milestone. How the moving finish line of achievement can leave us perpetually striving for more. The influence of other people's expectations on our definition of success, particularly for women in medicine. What financial security actually means and how to determine what is enough. The tradeoffs between earning more, professional status, time, and personal freedom. Why being capable of doing something doesn't mean you're obligated to do it. How to think about career transitions as an opportunity to move toward something, not just escape burnout. Why your everyday Tuesday may tell you more about your definition of success than your CV ever will. A coaching question to consider: What would I choose if I defined success by the quality of my life, not just the quality of my CV? And one more question: What is one decision I could make in the next 30 days that would move me closer to that definition of success? You don't have to stop being ambitious. You get to decide what you're ambitious for. Ready to explore what comes next in your career? If you're a woman physician questioning whether your current career still aligns with the life you want, I'd love to help you explore your options. Through 1:1 physician career coaching, we can work together to clarify what matters, challenge the assumptions keeping you stuck, and create a path toward a career that feels more aligned with your priorities. Schedule a free introductory coaching call Remember: Your CV tells the story of what you've accomplished professionally. It doesn't tell the whole story of whether you're living a life you actually enjoy. You get to define what enough looks like. Keywords: Women physicians, physician burnout, physician career coaching, career transitions for physicians, women in medicine, physician wellness, career change, work-life balance for physicians, redefining success, intentional career design.

    48: What Does Enough Actually Look Like? Redefining Success as a Woman Physician

  2. Nov 4

    47: Birth Plans and Beyond: Navigating Patient Expectations Without Losing Your Clinical Judgment

    What happens when a patient walks into your office with a birth plan, a list of requested interventions, or a treatment protocol they've developed after hours of research on social media? How do we respect patient autonomy while still exercising our clinical judgment? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, Dr. Christina Adams starts with a familiar experience for OB/GYNs: navigating birth plans that don't always align with medical recommendations. From there, she expands the conversation to physicians across specialties who are increasingly encountering patients who arrive with their own diagnoses, treatment plans, and expectations. This isn't an episode about dismissing patients or insisting that physicians always know best. It's a conversation about the tension between respecting patient autonomy and maintaining the professional boundaries necessary to practice medicine responsibly. We explore the very real reasons patients may distrust the medical system, including the history of medical paternalism, discrimination, and the dismissal of women's concerns. We also examine how social media and online medical information can influence patient expectations, sometimes providing valuable insight and sometimes creating confusion about what is medically appropriate. For physicians, the challenge is learning to approach these encounters with both curiosity and confidence: listening to patients, acknowledging their concerns, explaining our recommendations, and recognizing that respecting autonomy doesn't require us to agree with every request. Because being a good physician doesn't mean making every patient happy. It means providing thoughtful, evidence-based care while treating the person in front of us with dignity. In this episode, we discuss: Why birth plans can be valuable tools for communication and shared decision-making. What happens when a patient's birth plan conflicts with a physician's medical recommendation. The difference between patient preferences and demands for specific interventions. How historical medical paternalism and mistreatment have contributed to distrust in healthcare. Why patients may turn to social media and online communities for medical information. How physicians can respond to online medical advice without becoming defensive or dismissive. The distinction between respecting patient autonomy and agreeing to every requested treatment. How to set professional boundaries while maintaining compassion and trust. Why a patient's disappointment doesn't automatically mean you've failed as a physician. How to approach difficult clinical conversations with curiosity, confidence, and integrity. Reflection question: Where in your practice have you started confusing being a good physician with giving people what they want? And what might it look like to return to the deeper responsibility of providing the best care you can, even when that means having a difficult conversation? Connect with Dr. Christina Adams Dr. Christina Adams is an OB/GYN, physician life coach, and host of Navigating Possibility. She helps women physicians navigate burnout, career transitions, and the challenges of building a professional life that aligns with their values. Learn more about physician coaching and career transitions at www.christinaadamsmd.com. Keywords Physician burnout, OB/GYN burnout, birth plans, patient autonomy, physician boundaries, shared decision-making, medical paternalism, physician wellness, women in medicine, patient trust, medical misinformation, career satisfaction, physician life coaching.

    47: Birth Plans and Beyond: Navigating Patient Expectations Without Losing Your Clinical Judgment

  3. Oct 28

    46: They Are Scared, Angry, or Anxious. And I'm the One Standing in Front of Them.

    Have you ever had a patient or family member treat you badly when you were genuinely trying to help them? Have you ever walked away from an interaction feeling hurt, frustrated, or wondering how someone could be so rude? If you're a physician, chances are you have. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I'm exploring the difficult interactions that can happen when we're caring for patients and families who are frightened, angry, overwhelmed, or frustrated with a healthcare system that often fails them. And while their frustration may be completely understandable, that doesn't mean we should have to absorb their mistreatment. As physicians, we are often the face of a healthcare system that is broken. We're the people standing in front of patients when appointments are delayed, insurance approvals are denied, or answers aren't as simple as they hoped. We may have very little control over the circumstances that created their frustration, yet we're often the ones who receive it. So what if we could change the way we think about these interactions? What if, instead of immediately deciding that someone is an entitled jerk, we considered the possibility that they're scared, angry, or anxious? What if we could recognize that their behavior may be about something happening in their lives rather than a reflection of our competence, our character, or the care we're providing? This isn't about excusing disrespect or asking physicians to tolerate abuse. It's about understanding how the thoughts we have about difficult interactions can influence our emotional experience, and how choosing a different perspective can sometimes help us carry less of that frustration with us. In this episode, we'll explore: Why patients and families sometimes direct their frustration with the healthcare system toward physicians. How the stories we tell ourselves about difficult interactions influence our emotions. Why someone else's anger doesn't automatically mean you've done something wrong. How to practice compassion without taking responsibility for someone else's feelings. Why nervous system regulation matters when we're trying to respond rather than react. How to set boundaries with patients and families while still recognizing their humanity. Why physicians need to extend the same compassion to themselves that they offer to their patients. And I'll share my own experience with this, including the fact that I don't always manage to choose the compassionate thought. Sometimes I'm tired, frustrated, and completely out of patience, too. Because this isn't about becoming a physician who never gets angry or never feels hurt. It's about recognizing that we have options in how we interpret and respond to difficult interactions, and giving ourselves permission to be human in the process. The takeaway? Compassion for them. Boundaries for you. And grace for yourself. You can understand why someone is behaving badly without accepting that behavior. You can care deeply about your patients without making yourself responsible for their emotions. And you can be a good physician even when someone is unhappy with you. You deserve to be treated with respect, too. A question to reflect on Think about a difficult interaction you've had recently. Is there another way you could interpret what happened that might help you put it down and move forward? Not to excuse the behavior. Not to make yourself responsible for someone else's feelings. Just to give yourself a little more freedom in how you experience it. Connect with Christina I'm Christina Adams, MD, an OB/GYN and life coach helping women physicians navigate burnout, career transitions, and the challenges of practicing medicine without losing themselves in the process. Learn more about 1:1 coaching, resources, and the From Overwhelm to Empowerment course at: www.christinaadamsmd.com If this episode resonated with you, share it with another physician who might need the reminder. And if you have a moment, leave a rating or review to help other women physicians find the podcast. Keywords Physician burnout, women physicians, physician wellness, emotional resilience, patient interactions, difficult patients, physician boundaries, nervous system regulation, women in medicine, physician life coaching, healthcare system, compassion fatigue, emotional well-being, physician self-care.

    46: They Are Scared, Angry, or Anxious. And I'm the One Standing in Front of Them.

  4. Oct 21

    45: There's a Shortage of Us. So Why are We Still Practicing From Scarcity?

    Why do physicians continue to accept practice models that require them to be available all the time, even when those models no longer fit the lives they want to live? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I'm talking about the intersection of physician burnout, people pleasing, and scarcity mindset, using a familiar challenge in OB/GYN as a starting point: the expectation that physicians should deliver their own patients, even when they're not scheduled to work. There is nothing wrong with wanting to deliver your own patients. Continuity of care can be meaningful, and being present for a patient's delivery can be an incredibly rewarding part of practicing medicine. But what happens when that expectation becomes an obligation rather than a choice? What happens when we accept a particular way of practicing because everyone else in town does it, because we're afraid patients will leave, or because we worry that asking for something different will make us seem difficult? We start making career decisions based on fear instead of what we actually want. In this episode, we'll explore how people pleasing and scarcity mindset influence the way physicians approach their careers, why being a good doctor doesn't require being endlessly available, and how we can begin questioning the assumptions that keep us stuck in unsustainable work arrangements. Because the opposite of scarcity isn't certainty. It's possibility. In this episode, we discuss: Why physicians accept practice models they may not actually want. How scarcity mindset shows up in career decisions, from compensation and call schedules to job negotiations. The connection between people pleasing and the fear of disappointing patients, colleagues, and employers. The hidden cost of being "potentially available," even when you're technically off work. Why continuity of care doesn't have to mean one physician is responsible 24/7. The difference between being a good colleague and being endlessly accommodating. How to approach career negotiations from a place of choice rather than fear. Why "everyone else does it this way" is not a good enough reason to accept a particular work arrangement. How to identify the tradeoffs you're willing to make and begin designing a career that supports the life you want. A coaching question to consider Think about something in your current job that you've been telling yourself you have to do. Maybe it's taking extra call, answering messages after hours, accepting a schedule that doesn't work for your family, or being available when you're not technically working. Now replace "I have to" with "I've chosen to." Does that still feel true? Sometimes you'll realize that you are making a conscious choice and you're comfortable with the tradeoff. Other times, you may discover that you've been accepting something because you've never considered that another option might be possible. That realization is where change can begin. Ready to explore what's possible in your career? You don't have to figure it all out on your own. If you're a woman physician who is feeling burned out, questioning your current career path, or wondering whether there's a different way to practice medicine, I'd love to help you explore your options. Through physician career coaching, we can work together to clarify what matters to you, challenge the beliefs keeping you stuck, and identify practical next steps toward a more sustainable and satisfying professional life. Schedule a free introductory coaching call:https://calendly.com/christinaadamsmd/free-introductory-call Explore my course, From Overwhelm to Empowerment, for additional tools to help you move from feeling stuck to making intentional choices about your life and career.  Find in on my website here. Final thought There is a shortage of us. There is not a shortage of patients who need us. Maybe it's time we stopped assuming we have to accept the way things have always been done. What would you ask for if you stopped assuming you had to accept the status quo? Thanks for listening to Navigating Possibility, a podcast for women physicians who are ready to move from overwhelm to empowerment and create careers that work for them. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with another physician who might need the reminder that she has choices, too.   Keywords:  Physician burnout, women physicians, OB/GYN burnout, physician career coaching, scarcity mindset, people pleasing, physician work-life balance, career change for physicians, physician boundaries, physician career satisfaction

    45: There's a Shortage of Us. So Why are We Still Practicing From Scarcity?

  5. Oct 14

    44: What I Took Away From Brave Enough 2026: The Ideas I Can't Stop Thinking About

    What I Took Away From Brave Enough 2026: The Ideas I Can't Stop Thinking About What happens when you step away from your usual routine, spend time with women who understand the challenges of medicine, and come home with a notebook full of ideas that make you rethink your own life? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I'm sharing my biggest takeaways from the 2026 Brave Enough conference. From confidence and career transitions to leadership, burnout, and the stories we tell ourselves, these are the ideas that stayed with me long after the conference ended. One of my favorite reminders? You don't always need confidence before you take action. Sometimes confidence is what you build by doing the work and keeping promises to yourself. I also share insights from Cy Wakeman's session on separating facts from the stories we tell ourselves, recognizing the difference between venting and processing, and learning to focus our energy on the things we can actually influence. Whether you're questioning your career, navigating burnout, or simply wondering whether the life you've worked so hard to build still fits the life you want, I hope these takeaways help you ask some important questions of your own. In This Episode, We Discuss Taking the leap before you have all the answers: The difference between being prepared and requiring certainty before you act. Building confidence through action: Why you don't have to feel ready before taking the next step. Trusting your intuition: How years of experience inform your instincts, even when you can't immediately explain what you know. Letting go of the spotlight effect: Why other people's opinions may have far less influence on your life than you think. Fact versus story with Cy Wakeman: Learning to distinguish what actually happened from the meaning we assign to it. Venting versus processing: How to recognize when you're working through a difficult experience and when you're simply rehearsing the frustration. Calling people up: The difference between offering support and helping someone recognize their own capacity to move forward. Finding your sphere of impact: Shifting your energy from what you cannot control toward what you can influence. Accepting the cost of growth: Why changing your boundaries, priorities, or career may change some of your relationships. Asking for help: Remembering that success is not a solo sport. Recognizing misalignment before burnout: Why exhaustion isn't always a problem that can be solved with more rest or resilience. Maintain, Omit, Reinvent, Expect: A framework for deciding what to protect, what to release, what to rebuild, and what you're willing to expect from your life. Moving from chatbot to copilot: Rethinking how we use AI to support our work and reduce administrative burdens. A Few Questions to Take With You As you reflect on your own career and life, consider these questions: What are you tolerating right now that you don't actually want to keep tolerating? Are you waiting to feel confident before taking action? What facts do you know, and what stories are you telling yourself about those facts? Where do you have the ability to make an impact? Is your exhaustion a sign that you need rest, or could it be a sign that something in your life or work is misaligned? What do you want to maintain, omit, reinvent, or allow yourself to expect? My Biggest Takeaway You may have more agency than you think. You don't need certainty before taking action. You don't have to make everyone happy. You don't have to solve every problem in the healthcare system yourself. And you don't have to assume that leaving medicine is the only way to create a more satisfying life. Sometimes the next step is leaving. Sometimes it's changing your boundaries, having a difficult conversation, or finding a different way to practice. The important thing is to understand the problem you're trying to solve before deciding what comes next. Ready to Explore Your Own Career Crossroads? If you know something isn't working but aren't sure whether you need a new job, a different approach, or a bigger career change, you don't have to figure it out alone. I help women physicians move from overwhelm to empowerment, clarify what they want, and make intentional decisions about their careers and lives. Interested in working together? Schedule a free introductory coaching call. Connect With Me I'm Christina Adams, an OB/GYN physician and life coach helping women physicians navigate burnout, career transitions, and the path toward a more sustainable and fulfilling professional life. Visit christinaadamsmd.com to learn more about my coaching and resources. Subscribe to Navigating Possibility for more conversations about physician burnout, career satisfaction, boundaries, self-advocacy, and creating a professional life that works for you. Remember: You don't have to know exactly where you're going to take the next step. Sometimes clarity comes from moving.  Keywords: Brave Enough conference 2026, women physicians, physician burnout, physician career change, women in medicine, career satisfaction, physician coaching, burnout prevention, medical leadership

    44: What I Took Away From Brave Enough 2026: The Ideas I Can't Stop Thinking About

  6. Oct 7

    43: My Noncompete Expired Last Week. I Could Leave. Why I Chose to Stay.

    What happens when the thing that has been keeping you from leaving finally goes away? My two-year noncompete recently expired. For two years, I had restrictions on where I could practice after leaving my previous job, essentially blacking out the Jacksonville community where I had lived and practiced for more than two decades. So when that restriction finally expired, I had a choice. I could leave the job I'm currently in - I'm currently driving 45 min each way to my hospitalist position.   And I seriously considered making a change. I interviewed for two other hospitalist positions. I reviewed contracts. I looked at the financial packages. I explored what might come next. And ultimately, I decided to stay where I am. Not because I couldn't leave. Because I could. That distinction turned out to be incredibly important. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I talk about what I learned from finally having options, including the role that a physician retreat played in helping me listen to what actually felt right, rather than simply choosing what looked best on paper. I also talk about why I think noncompetes are wrong, the power imbalance they create for physicians, why "retention through restriction" is not the same as creating a workplace where physicians actually want to stay, and why I never plan to sign another contract with a noncompete again. We also get into negotiation and what it looked like to ask my current employer for changes after I had explored my alternatives. I didn't get everything I asked for, but I was able to negotiate an improved financial situation and make the decision to stay from a position of choice. And then there's the other side of this story: while I'm choosing to stay in my hospitalist role, I'm also taking a scary financial risk by beginning to plan a retreat for OBGYNs in 2027. Because maybe freedom isn't always about leaving. Maybe freedom is about having choices. In this episode, I talk about: What it felt like to finally have my two-year noncompete expire Why I intentionally explored other hospitalist opportunities before deciding whether to stay What I learned from interviewing for two other positions The difference between a good financial package and a contract that actually supports the kind of professional autonomy I want Why one contract essentially felt like "we own you" Why I am no longer willing to sign a contract with a noncompete How a physician retreat helped me pay attention to what felt right somatically The difference between staying because you can't leave and staying because you choose to Why negotiation doesn't require getting everything you ask for How having alternatives changed the way I approached negotiating with my current employer Why women physicians need to become more comfortable asking for what they want The connection between physician autonomy, noncompetes, private equity, and the economics of independent practice Why physician retention through restriction is different from retention through relationships The risk I'm taking by planning my own retreat for OBGYNs What happens when we stop asking, "How do I get out?" and start asking, "What do I actually want?" A question for you If you knew you truly had a choice, what would you choose? Would you leave? Would you stay, but ask for something different? Would you build something new? Or would you stay for now while you create your next chapter? You don't have to know the answer today. Sometimes the first step is simply giving yourself permission to explore the possibilities. Work with me If you're a woman physician who feels stuck, burned out, or unsure whether it's time to stay, leave, or make a different kind of change, this is exactly the kind of work I do with my coaching clients. You don't necessarily need someone to tell you what decision to make. You may need space to figure out what you actually want, identify your options, challenge the beliefs that are keeping you stuck, and create a plan for moving forward. You can learn more about coaching and schedule a consultation at this consultation link. Connect with me Christina Adams, MDPhysician Life & Career CoachHost of Navigating Possibility Website: www.christinaadamsmd.com Keywords physician career transition, physician burnout, physician coaching, women physicians, women in medicine, OBGYN career, OB/GYN physician, physician noncompete, noncompete agreement, physician contract negotiation, physician autonomy, physician career change, leaving medicine, leaving clinical medicine, hospitalist physician, physician leadership, private equity in medicine, independent medical practice, physician wellness, career satisfaction, women physician burnout

    43: My Noncompete Expired Last Week. I Could Leave. Why I Chose to Stay.

  7. Sep 30

    42: When Your Job Can't Be Made Sustainable: Is It Time to Change the Way You Practice?

    When Your Job Can’t Be Made Sustainable: Is It Time to Change the Way You Practice? What happens when you still love medicine - but the way you are practicing it is no longer sustainable? In this episode of Navigating Possibility, I’m talking about a difficult situation that comes up for many physicians: recognizing that a particular job, schedule, or practice model is taking a toll on your health, while also knowing that changing it may affect your colleagues, your patients, and the organization you work for. I recently came across a conversation among physicians about an OB/GYN who was struggling with overnight obstetric call and the significant impact of sleep deprivation on her mental health. She wanted to continue practicing medicine, but she was questioning whether she could continue practicing this way. And that distinction matters. Because sometimes the question isn't: "Do I want to practice medicine anymore?" It's: "Do I want to practice medicine this way anymore?" Those are two very different questions - and they can have very different answers. In this episode, we talk about: What happens when your current practice model is no longer sustainable The tension between advocating for yourself and recognizing the impact your needs may have on your colleagues Why physician burnout can't always be solved at the individual level The difference between personal responsibility and personal blame Why health systems need to look at the way work is designed - not just tell physicians to become more resilient Creative alternatives to the traditional "stay or quit" binary How to think about schedule changes, different practice models, compensation for additional call, lower-volume environments, and other possibilities When it's time to stop trying to convince your current organization to change Why you don't have to wait until you're completely burned out to start making changes The difference between leaving medicine and leaving a version of medicine that no longer works for you A surprising finding about women physicians We also talk about research published in JAMA Internal Medicine examining mortality among more than 3.6 million U.S. workers ages 25–74. One of the study's most striking findings was that women working in high-income, non-healthcare occupations had a substantial mortality advantage compared with men in those occupations. Among physicians, however, that female survival advantage essentially disappeared. The study doesn't tell us why - and it doesn't establish that burnout, sleep deprivation, or the healthcare system caused this difference. But it raises an important question: What are we asking women physicians to sacrifice in order to succeed in medicine? And what might happen if we stopped treating those sacrifices as simply the price of being a physician? The question I want you to consider If you're struggling in your current career, I don't want you to automatically assume that the only choices are: Stay miserable. or Leave medicine. There is a lot of territory in between. Maybe you need a different schedule. Maybe you need different boundaries. Maybe you need to renegotiate your role. Maybe you need a different practice environment. Maybe you need to stop taking call. Maybe you need to move from full-scope practice to a narrower clinical focus. Maybe you need to leave your organization. Or maybe, ultimately, you do need to leave medicine. But before you make that decision, it can be incredibly valuable to ask: What would medicine have to look like for me to want to stay? That question opens up possibilities that can be difficult to see when you're exhausted and overwhelmed. A reminder Your colleagues' needs matter. Your patients' needs matter. And your needs matter, too. You can take responsibility for your career without taking responsibility for fixing an entire broken system. And you can recognize that your organization may have legitimate constraints without deciding that you have to sacrifice your health to accommodate them. Sometimes the answer is to negotiate. Sometimes it's to adapt. And sometimes the most important information you can get is discovering that the environment you're in simply isn't capable of giving you what you need. That doesn't mean you've failed. It may mean you've learned something important about what comes next. If you're at a career crossroads If you're a woman physician wondering whether you should stay, go, or find a completely different way to practice, this is exactly the kind of work I do with clients. My 1:1 coaching helps women physicians get out of the "I can't do this anymore" spiral and into a more intentional process of figuring out what they actually want - and what is realistically possible. You don't necessarily need to decide whether you're staying or leaving today. You may just need some space to explore the possibilities. Schedule a free introductory consultation Resources Study discussed in this episode: Mortality Among US Physicians and Other Health Care Workers, published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Read the study → Key takeaway You may not need to leave medicine. You may need to leave the version of medicine that is hurting you. And sometimes the most important career question isn't: "Should I stay or should I go?" It's: "What else is possible?"

    42: When Your Job Can't Be Made Sustainable: Is It Time to Change the Way You Practice?

  8. Sep 23

    41: You Can’t Guarantee the Outcome: Managing Fear of Surgical Complications

    You Can’t Guarantee the Outcome: Managing Fear of Surgical Complications If you’ve ever sat in your car before a case, reviewed the chart one more time, or found yourself imagining everything that could possibly go wrong in the OR, this episode is for you. Fear of surgical complications is something many physicians experience - but it’s not something we talk about very much. And when that fear becomes persistent, it can begin to affect confidence, sleep, enjoyment of medicine, and even decisions about whether to continue practicing. In this episode of Navigating Possibility, we’re talking about the difference between healthy preparation and anxiety-driven rumination, why our brains can become hypervigilant after a difficult case, and how to calm the nervous system enough to access the skills and judgment you already have. Because the goal isn't to eliminate all anxiety before a case. The goal is to be able to feel the anxiety without letting it run the show. In this episode, we talk about: Why fear of complications can become so consuming for physicians and surgeons The difference between preparation and rumination Why your brain may keep imagining worst-case scenarios as a way of trying to protect you How previous complications can change the way you experience future cases Why increased anxiety doesn't necessarily mean you're becoming a less capable physician The difference between a complication and a failure Why you can't guarantee a surgical outcome—even when you've done everything right A simple four-question pre-case reset to separate actionable preparation from anxiety How to recognize when you're learning from a complication versus punishing yourself for it What to consider when fear of complications makes you question whether you should leave clinical medicine Why “I don't want to practice medicine anymore” and “I don't want to feel this way while practicing medicine anymore” are two very different statements A simple pre-case reset Before your next difficult case, try asking yourself: 1. What do I know?Come back to the facts rather than the catastrophes your brain is imagining. 2. What am I prepared for?What complications are reasonably foreseeable, and what is your plan if they occur? 3. What is outside my control?This is often the hardest and most important question. 4. What does this case require from me right now?Not perfection. Presence, attention, judgment, communication, and technical skill. And then remind yourself: I don't need to guarantee the outcome. I need to be present for the next decision. If you're questioning your career because of anxiety There may be a time when changing your practice, reducing surgical volume, changing jobs, or leaving clinical medicine is exactly the right decision. But before making a permanent career decision, it can be helpful to ask: Do I not want to practice medicine anymore? Or: Do I not want to feel this way while I'm practicing medicine anymore? Those questions can lead you toward very different solutions. If you're a physician who is questioning your career, struggling with burnout, or trying to figure out whether it's time for a change, this is the kind of work I help physicians navigate through 1:1 coaching. You don't have to figure out your next step alone. Schedule a free introductory consultation A note about complications and mental health A significant complication or adverse patient outcome can be deeply distressing for physicians. Persistent anxiety, intrusive memories, sleep disruption, or significant changes in your ability to function deserve appropriate professional support. Coaching can be helpful for career and decision-making questions, but it isn't a substitute for mental health care when that is needed. Listen to the episode You Can’t Guarantee the Outcome: Managing Fear of Surgical Complications is available now on Navigating Possibility. If this episode resonated with you, share it with another physician who may be carrying more fear into the OR than anyone realizes. You are allowed to take your work seriously without believing that you have to control everything.     Keywords:  fear of surgical complications  surgical anxiety  physician anxiety  surgeon burnout

    41: You Can’t Guarantee the Outcome: Managing Fear of Surgical Complications
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Navigating Possibility — A Podcast for Women Physicians Ready to Reclaim Their Power. Navigating Possibility is the podcast for women physicians who feel burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck at a crossroads—ready for change, but not sure what’s next. Whether you're questioning your future in medicine, exploring nonclinical career options, or feeling the call to advocate for something bigger, this space is for you. I’m Dr. Christina Adams—OBGYN, former burned-out physician, and certified life coach. I help women physicians break free from survival mode and reconnect with the possibility, autonomy, and purpose they deserve. I’ve been where you are, and I know this truth: burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systems issue. And healing requires both internal tools and collective change. In each episode, you’ll get the mindset shifts, nervous system strategies, and practical insight to help you move from overwhelm to empowerment, including: • Tools to regulate, reset, and rebuild from burnout • Real conversations about clinical and nonclinical career pivots • Stories from women rewriting what’s possible in medicine and beyond • Coaching strategies to create a sustainable, aligned career • Advocacy insights so you can use your voice to change the system • Permission to honor your limits and expand your vision This is your space to breathe, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the white coat. You are not alone. There’s a growing movement of women physicians reclaiming their power—and you belong here. ✨ Subscribe to Navigating Possibility, share it with the women in your circle, and help spark a new future for medicine. 📬 Stay connected: • Join the email list for weekly insights and resources - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Explore coaching support on the website - https://www.christinaadamsmd.com • Follow along with me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for grounded community and real talk It’s time to redefine what’s possible—for you, and for the future of women in medicine.

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