Abstract
The Walking Dead, one of the most popular television shows in recent history, uses the plot of a zombie apocalypse as a lens into exploring the human condition. Amidst a particularly dangerous moment, the show’s hero references the human struggle to survive by remarking, “We are the walking dead.” This offhand comment sheds light upon physicians’ struggles in medicine, in particular the high prevalence of burnout and the challenge to cultivate compassion and meaning. This is an important question for our age and for our profession. Are we the walking dead?
- Received for publication December 2, 2015.
- Revision received May 6, 2016.
- Accepted for publication May 31, 2016.
- © 2016 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
