When the Physician Becomes the Patient: Considerations for Work, Life, and Leadership

Most orthopaedic surgeons are unprepared for serious medical illnesses. In such cases, the unique work-related and personal considerations for orthopaedic surgeons affect their career, their practice partners, and their patients. Planning together as an orthopaedic business organization for such issues can provide a framework to better navigate these difficult situations. Understanding the considerations and stressors from the individual's perspective can help provide the appropriate level of support while maintaining privacy. Throughout these considerations, open communication regarding expectations and concerns and expressions of empathy are the cornerstones of dealing with physician illness. Being a physician-patient adds complexity to an already difficult and stressful profession. Further dialogue regarding the physician-patient experience can help increase awareness of this issue and allow organizations to create a structure to best manage this almost inevitable occurrence.