One Size Does Not Fit All: The Current State of Wellness in Pediatrics

Think about all that has changed in medicine in the past 50 years: the number of new diseases that have been recognized, the emergence of precision medicine, the expectations of patients and families to be involved in the decision-making related to their care, and the advent of electronic health records. Now add onto that the challenges of the past decade: a ravaging pandemic, social injustice and inequities, and political tension. It is no wonder physicians are feeling burned out and dissatisfied, with some questioning their values and intent to stay in the field.¹  The risk of burnout in pediatricians is augmented by the unique emotional demands of caring for vulnerable youth and the evolving landscape of patients with increasing medical complexity. The field of health care is facing record turnover, with a projected shortage of more than 120 000 physicians by 2030.²  This has led to a palpable...