In this episode of Life-Changing Moments, Dr. Kelly Schmidt, a fifth-year otolaryngology resident at the University of Missouri, shares pragmatic insights on resilience and self-care in medical training. Moving beyond conventional wellness advice, she emphasizes sustainable, small-scale habits—such as integrating personal checklists and celebrating incremental progress—to navigate residency's demands. Crucially, she reframes resilience as a systemic issue, challenging the notion that burnout reflects individual failure.
Dr. Schmidt candidly discusses the pressures of rigorous schedules, imposter syndrome, and the importance of redefining success in an imperfect system. She advocates for building supportive peer and mentor networks while normalizing professional mental health care as a proactive step, not a weakness. Her perspective balances realism with optimism, acknowledging residency's challenges while highlighting the growth they foster.
This episode offers actionable strategies for medical trainees and professionals in high-stakes fields, underscoring how self-compassion, community, and adaptable self-care practices can sustain well-being and improve patient care. Dr. Schmidt's reflections serve as both a guide and a reminder: progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Rethinking Residency — https://rethinkingresidency.com/
Self-Care Mantras That Help Me Survive Surgical Residency, Dr. Kelly Schmidt - Essay
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