Physicians often use the terms health, wellness, and wellbeing as if they mean the same thing, but these concepts represent different parts of both professional and personal life, according to Michael H. Gendel, MD, Medical Director Emeritus of the Colorado Physician Health Program.
Gendel explains that health is more than just not being sick; it means maintaining physical condition to handle long hours and mental strain. He notes that many physicians neglect their own health because they prioritize caring for others. “However, when physicians neglect their health – whether it’s regular check-ups, sleep or proper nutrition – performance inevitably suffers. Even minor physical health issues, when left unchecked, can impair our ability to focus, diagnose and treat our patients effectively, ultimately compromising patient safety. Emotional or mental health is also important, from the stress and strain already mentioned, to acute distress related to a sick spouse or child, to symptoms of anxiety or depression that we initially may minimize but take their toll with time and neglect. All of these can impact practice, not to mention our wellbeing. It’s so important to talk with a spouse, friends or our doctors about these matters,” Gendel says.
He distinguishes wellness as an active process involving good habits such as managing stress and work-life balance. “Wellness…speaks to the ongoing routine of good practices and habits – an active, intentional process. It includes everything from managing stress and preventing burnout to maintaining work-life balance. It also involves maintaining good functioning in our physical, mental, social, financial, spiritual, intellectual and professional aspects of our lives,” he states.
Gendel adds that physician wellness programs have become more common in response to a need for systematic approaches that help doctors sustain their careers over time. “In a profession as demanding as medicine, wellness practices are not indulgent; they are essential to sustaining longevity in the field. The growing focus on physician wellness programs is a response to a pressing need for systematic approaches to fostering sustainable careers. Physicians who invest in wellness are not only more resilient but more empathetic and present for their patients, contributing to a safer, more compassionate health care environment.”
Regarding wellbeing—which he describes as broader psychological and emotional fulfillment—Gendel points out its subjective nature: “Wellbeing encompasses broader psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives. While health and wellness can be measured and managed, wellbeing is deeply subjective.” He notes that even healthy physicians who follow good routines may still feel unfulfilled or emotionally exhausted.
He suggests using tools like the Mayo Physician Wellbeing Index for self-assessment but emphasizes personal feedback: “One can take the Mayo Physician Wellbeing Index online for free – but there is no substitute for asking for feedback from loved ones (or others that know you well) concerning how they view your state of wellbeing.”
Gendel concludes by warning against ignoring any one aspect—health, wellness or wellbeing—as this can affect both physicians themselves and patient care quality.
