Burnout among healthcare professionals is a serious and pervasive issue. Long hours, high-stress environments, and the emotional toll of patient care contribute to a staggering rate of burnout in the field. According to a 2024 MedScape study, nearly 50% of physicians report experiencing significant symptoms of burnout, impacting not only their well-being but also patient care quality.
Implementing sustainable work practices is crucial to preventing and dealing with burnout—and supporting the well-being of healthcare professionals. One such practice is the 75% rule, as discussed by Dr. Joan Chan on a recent episode of the “Promising Young Surgeon” podcast with Dr. Frances Mei Hardin.
Working Under Max Capacity to Create Surge Capacity
The 75% rule is a simple yet transformative concept. By operating at 75% of our maximum capacity, we create a buffer—surge capacity—that allows us to handle unexpected demands without becoming overwhelmed.
Dr. Joan Chan, a family physician, says,
“It starts with checking in with yourself—listening and really recognizing your signs and symptoms of being over capacity.”
She explains that if you’re always operating at 100%, there’s no buffer when the unexpected happens, and you end up constantly running on empty. Working under maximum capacity means intentionally leaving room in your schedule and energy reserves.
Tangible ways to implement this include:
- Scheduling 75% of your available appointment slots, leaving room for urgent cases or extended consultations.
- Allocating specific times for administrative tasks, ensuring they don’t spill over into personal time.
- Setting boundaries on work hours, and sticking to them to prevent overexertion.
Prioritizing Personal Health & Well-Being
As healthcare professionals, we often prioritize our patients’ health over our own. However, neglecting personal well-being can lead to serious consequences.
As Dr. Frances Mei Hardin points out,
“You hit a point where you realize, either I can work myself to death or I can make a change.”
Chronic stress not only affects our mental health but can manifest physically. Ignoring symptoms and continuing to work through them can lead to severe health issues which can have long-term impacts.
Practical ways to integrate well-being practices into daily routines include:
- Regularly scheduling breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
- Engaging in physical activities or hobbies outside of work to reduce stress.
- Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and breathing techniques to maintain mental clarity and resilience.
- Setting aside time for medical check-ups and addressing health concerns promptly.
Implementing the Four Tenets to Manage Workload
To effectively reduce workload and prevent burnout, consider implementing these four tenets.
Quit/Pause
Identifying and pausing low-priority tasks—or quitting any unnecessary commitments—can free up time and mental space.
Drawing from personal experience, Dr. Chan explains,
“When my husband was sick with cancer, I wanted to have space in my life for if he needed me. I was on three different boards, but I didn’t quit them—I just said, for the time being, I will not be attending. What I got to learn is that I was completely replaceable. Everyone was fine, and I just never went back.”
Actionable Step: Make a list of all your non-essential commitments and decide which ones you can pause or step away from.
Protect
Focus on core duties that align with your professional values and bring you fulfillment.
Dr. Chan recommends,
“Understand why you do the work you do and have that be a motivator to get rid of the rest. For me, I recognized looking at my patients in the eyes and spending a good amount of time with them was like a renewable source of energy. I needed to protect that connection with my patients.”
Actionable Step: Identify aspects of your work that are most meaningful and ensure they are safeguarded in your schedule.
Delegate
Delegation is key to optimizing efficiency and well-being. For instance, administrative tasks can often be handled by assistants or other team members.
Dr. Chan notes,
“I’m a human first, and I had to take care of my husband, this other human that I love. That’s when I hired a nurse practitioner to help cover my clinic. I was still working, but I wanted to make myself more replaceable.”
Actionable Step: Assess your workload and delegate tasks that do not require your direct involvement.
Mediocrity
Accept that not everything requires perfection. Doing some tasks—particularly routine paperwork—at a bare minimum or “good enough” level can free up time and reduce stress.
Dr. Chan puts it this way:
“You have to decide which things are actually essential for your day, and then everything else needs to go to someone else or be done with the least number of brain cells.”
Actionable Step: Identify tasks where perfection isn’t critical and adjust your effort accordingly.
The Bottom Line: Putting the 75% Rule into Practice
By adopting the 75% rule and implementing the four tenets discussed above, you can create a more sustainable working environment that supports your well-being, gives you the time and energy to handle unexpected emergencies, and enhances patient care. Reflect on your current practices and consider what changes you can make today to start working under your maximum capacity.
Related Topics
Want to learn more about managing stress, dealing with burnout, and finding work-life balance as a physician? Check out the articles below!
- Stress Management for Doctors: Strategies for Resilience & Well-Being
- Quick Ways to Reduce Stress While on the Job
- Recognizing the Symptoms of Physician Burnout & How to Fix Them
- Is Work-Life Balance Possible for Doctors?
- Tips for Finding Work-Life Balance as a Doctor
This blog post was inspired by insights from Dr. Frances Mei Hardin and Dr. Joan Chan on the “Promising Young Surgeon” podcast episode “Preventing Burnout & Achieving Work-Life Balance in Healthcare.”
