Prioritize Caring for Yourself: A Message From One Doctor to Another For National Doctors’ Day

Mina Obbehat, MD, Medical Director, Transcarent Clinic

As we dedicate ourselves to the well-being of our patients, it’s easy to forget about our own health and mental well-being. It's important that we spend more time prioritizing ourselves and encouraging others to help “heal the healers.” The pressures of long hours, high expectations, and the constant need to be “on” can take a toll. But the best advice I can offer—one doctor to another—is this: 

Take care of yourself first

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Make time for rest, recharge your energy, and set healthy boundaries. Disconnecting, shutting down your laptop and not checking your inbox. Prioritize your mental and emotional health by seeking support from family, peers, mentors, or professionals when needed. Remember the pre-flight instructions: “secure your own oxygen mask, before helping someone else.” Here at Transcarent, most of our physicians recharge in the typical ways (exercise, meditation, spending time with family and friends), but some find solace in other unique ways such as bird watching, looking for Native American artifacts, geocaching, sewing, golfing, playing hockey, competitive tennis, and dragon boating. Regardless of the activity, it’s important to take the time to find joy and reset. 

Embrace teamwork and collaboration

We are not meant to do this alone. Lean on your colleagues—consult, share experiences, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Together, we can navigate the challenges of our work, lift each other up and be the best versions of ourselves. As a virtual clinic, we seamlessly work together and tap into the vast knowledge base available to us at our fingertips. On average, our physicians have 20 years of experience, with board certifications in family medicine, emergency medicine, or internal medicine. We work collaboratively with our nurses and medical assistants as one team, utilizing workflows that ensure we are all operating at the top of our licenses. By leveraging technology, we optimize both the patient and physician experience. 

Set realistic expectations

We are all human, provide yourself with that grace. Strive for excellence but recognize the learning opportunities in growth. Since caring for our first patient many of us have experienced the ups and downs of practicing medicine virtually, but we’ve always kept our north star: providing people with easy access to high-quality, affordable health and care. We continue to learn as we grow and celebrate our accomplishments.  

Find joy in the little moments

Whether it’s a simple “thank you” or smile emoji (in our text-first platform) from a patient, a kind word from a colleague, or a quiet moment in our day—these small victories are what keep us grounded and remind us why we chose this path. Here at Transcarent, we have a dedicated internal channel to share positive experiences with each other to help keep us grounded in the impact we’re making on individual lives and the amazing service we are providing nationwide, 24/7.  

Finally, remember that you’re not alone on this journey. We’re all in it together and supporting one another is key to knowing our value. As a physician, you need to understand that your well-being matters and taking time to nurture it will not only benefit you and those around you, but also the countless lives you continue to touch. 

Happy National Doctors’ Day! Thank you for everything you do. I hope you know how much you’re appreciated, and that you may continue to find joy and fulfillment in the work you do each day.