title: The physician executive and professional grief.
abstract: With the introduction of competitive forces and concommitant changes in health care reimbursement programs, physicians are experiencing profound disruption in their personal expectations and career plans. This article proposes that the loss of established professional traditions is no different, in terms of emotional and psychological impact, than the loss of a loved one. Thus, many physicians may need to complete grief work before they can functionally adapt to contemporary realities. The dynamics of loss, grief work, and functional adaptation are discussed, along with recommendations for supportive interventions to help individuals adjust to a competitive health care environment.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002322:Career Mobility; D004645:Empathy; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D008486:Physician Executives / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012380:Role