Professional Identity After Critical Illness—Every Physician Becomes a Patient - Takeaways - MDSpire
Coming Soon: Introducing MDSpire News. Learn more
Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more

The Shift in Professional Identity Following Severe Illness—Physicians Experience Patienthood

  • By

  • Lisa M. Meeks

  • Rana Awdish

  • Christopher J. Moreland

  • September 9, 2026

Share

  • 1

    Dr. Jack McKee's experience of critical illness reveals the vulnerability and uncertainty inherent in the patient role.

  • 2

    Physicians returning to work after serious illness face significant shifts in professional identity, impacting their roles as both doctors and patients.

  • 3

    Institutional responses, including supportive policies and communication, significantly influence physicians' reintegration after illness.

  • 4

    Identity-safe workplaces foster environments where physicians can disclose their experiences without fear of judgment, enhancing their sense of belonging.

  • 5

    Valuing the perspectives of physicians who have experienced illness can catalyze cultural and systemic changes in healthcare delivery.

Original Source(s)

Professional Identity After Critical Illness—Every Physician Becomes a Patient

  • by Lisa M. Meeks, Rana Awdish, Christopher J. Moreland

  • September 9, 2026

Related Content

Clinicians’ Attitudes and Perceptions on the Adoption of AI in Mental Health Care: Scoping Review

Supporting frontline staff in frontotemporal degeneration research

The Effectiveness of Digital Intervention on Psychological Resilience in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy Intervals: Quasi-Experimental Study