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DiscussionReflections

Are We the Walking Dead? Burnout as Zombie Apocalypse

Benjamin R. Doolittle
The Annals of Family Medicine November 2016, 14 (6) 578-580; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1975
Benjamin R. Doolittle
Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, Combined Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Residency Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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  • For correspondence: Benjamin.doolittle@yale.edu
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    Are We the Walking Dead? Burnout as Zombie Apocalypse

    Benjamin R. Doolittle

    Background Reflecting on physicians' struggles in medicine, in particular the high prevalence of burnout and the challenge to cultivate compassion and meaning, this essay, asks, "Are we the walking dead?"

    What This Study Found The plot and themes of the popular television show "The Walking Dead" and the zombie apocalypse metaphor could shed light on the state of medicine in 2016 as physicians struggle to survive. The author challenges physicians to reclaim their central purpose -- to promote life, to focus on patients' healing and the flourishing of their own lives -- in order to avoid becoming the walking dead.

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The Annals of Family Medicine: 14 (6)
The Annals of Family Medicine: 14 (6)
Vol. 14, Issue 6
November/December 2016
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Are We the Walking Dead? Burnout as Zombie Apocalypse
Benjamin R. Doolittle
The Annals of Family Medicine Nov 2016, 14 (6) 578-580; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1975

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Are We the Walking Dead? Burnout as Zombie Apocalypse
Benjamin R. Doolittle
The Annals of Family Medicine Nov 2016, 14 (6) 578-580; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1975
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  • Article
    • Abstract
    • THE WALKING DEAD
    • QUIET LIBERATION
    • PHYSICIANS, NOT ZOMBIES
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  • In This Issue: Social Context; Disease Causes
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More in this TOC Section

  • Do I Return to the Community That Traumatized Me?
  • The Joy and Grief of Knowing Your Patient
  • The Face of God Revealed
Show more Reflections

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Subjects

  • Person groups:
    • Vulnerable populations
  • Other research types:
    • Health policy
    • Professional practice
  • Other topics:
    • Mindfulness and reflection

Keywords

  • burnout
  • coping
  • meaning
  • purpose
  • professionalism
  • Frankl
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  • zombie

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