Why shifting from wellness to well-being matters for physicians and patients

Physical therapist and physician advocate Kim Downey, mental health counselor Nikolai Blinow, and family physician and physician coach Tonya Caylor discuss their article "Focusing on well-being versus wellness: What it means for physicians (and their patients)." Together, Kim, Nikolai, and Tonya examine why the language of "wellness" often feels performative and unattainable, while "well-being" reflects a dynamic, values-based, and relational practice that supports both physicians and patients. They highlight how well-being fosters flexibility, belonging, and system-level change, while empowering individual clinicians to reconnect with purpose and presence. Listeners will gain insights into how embracing well-being can transform physician culture, reduce burnout, and model healthier approaches to care.

Mentioned on the show:

Well-Being Toolkit of On-Demand Resources: https://caws.dukehealth.org/toolkit-on-demand/

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