RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Are We the Walking Dead? Burnout as Zombie Apocalypse
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 578
OP 580
DO 10.1370/afm.1975
VO 14
IS 6
A1 Benjamin R. Doolittle
YR 2016
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/14/6/578.abstract
AB 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?