Financial debt from student loans, the cost of setting up a new practice, or other expenses may leave you stressed, contributing to physician burnout. Make sure to deal with financial burdens in ways that are sure to address the root of the problem. Cut back on spending, establish budgets and work with a financial advisor, if necessary, but try not to compensate for debt by overworking yourself or by making financially risky choices.

If excessive spending is the problem, no amount of extra hours is likely to resolve the issue in the long run. The spending is likely to grow with the income unless it is addressed directly. In fact, the pressure of the extra hours can have the opposite effect. More work hours means less time to manage your personal life; it means you resort to quick fixes and have higher costs because you have to pay others to take care of things for you. Ultimately, working overtime to compensate for financial debt may lead you straight to physician burnout and greater stress. Check out the results from MomMD’s work-life balance survey for a reality check on the effects of extra work hours on attendings in our MomMD community.

Taking excessive financial risks, whether considered investments or an outright gamble, are also likely to sink you even deeper. Make sure your investments are appropriate for your financial situation and goals.

Address the source of the financial burden, establish new financial ground rules and abide by them, and then grow your money through a healthy medical career and sound investments.

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