OBR OncologyActor-Turned-Oncologist Creates Musical About Physician Burnout

Could a dose of comedy bring us one step closer to understanding and tackling the pervasive issue of physician burnout?

Oncologist and former actor Dr. Stuart Bloom has found an innovative way to highlight the ongoing problem of physician burnout through musical comedy. His performance offers a unique, first-hand account of the pressures and challenges of modern medical practice.

Key Points:

• Dr. Stuart Bloom, an oncologist at the University of Minnesota, has created and performs in a musical comedy called “How to Avoid Burnout in 73 Minutes: A Minimally Invasive Musical Procedure,” to highlight the issue of physician burnout.
• The musical focuses on pressures faced by oncologists from administrators, insurers, and the reality of being a busy physician.
• Many of the songs in the show came from Dr. Bloom’s personal experiences as a practicing oncologist.
• The show recently sold out at a 200-seat Minneapolis theater for five straight nights, highlighting the relevance of the issue.

Additional Points:

• Dr. Bloom began his career as an actor in New York before transitioning to medicine after his father was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
• Dr. Bloom continued to write songs throughout his medical training, and many of these songs feature in his musical.
• The inefficiencies in the clinic and the clash between profit motives and altruistic values contributed to Dr. Bloom’s burnout.
• Dr. Bloom expressed that the medical industry is in trouble due to an exodus of healthcare workers and doctors, advocating for better conditions, a more efficient electronic medical record, and better schedules as potential solutions.

Conclusion:

Dr. Bloom’s musical comedy showcases the concerning issue of physician burnout, a growing problem in the healthcare industry. He uses this platform to call for systemic changes, including improved working conditions and more efficient administrative processes, to address this widespread concern.

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