Dr. Andre Posner Calls for Greater Awareness Around Physician Burnout and Mental Clarity

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Aug 3, 2025 (Issuewire.com) With over two decades of experience in hospital medicine and medical education, Dr. Andre Posner is speaking out about an issue many in the profession quietly carryburnout.

Burnout is real, says Dr. Posner. But if you know what keeps you centered, youll last longer and do better work.

Dr. Posner, currently a hospitalist and teaching attending at Penn Medicine, is using his platform to advocate for a shift in how physicians and trainees think about their mental health. Drawing on his own experiences, he emphasizes the need for grounding habits, such as meditation, time in nature, and even strategy games like chess.

Medicine moves fast. Youre constantly reacting. But if you pause, take a breath, and look at the full picturejust like on a chessboardyou make better decisions, he says.

A National Issue

Physician burnout continues to rise. According to a 2023 report by the American Medical Association, more than 63% of doctors reported feeling burned out, with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization cited as top symptoms. Among residents and early-career physicians, the numbers are even higher.

Dr. Posner believes the solution starts not with systemic overhauls, but with mindset shifts.

Presencebeing truly in the momentis one of the most powerful tools we have, he says. Ive learned that from patients, from quiet failures, and from stepping back.

The Power of Stillness and Strategy

In a recent feature article, Dr. Andre Posner compared medical decision-making to chess. Chess teaches pattern recognition, patience, and thinking a few moves ahead. Thats exactly what you need in medicine, he explained.

Its not just about calm under pressureits about building internal habits that help physicians stay sharp and emotionally balanced.

My advice to young doctors is always the same: dont rush. Slow down and really observe. Youll learn more and miss less, he says.

Dr. Posner isnt asking for applause or programs. Hes encouraging individualsespecially those in medicineto find their own ways to reset.

You dont need an app or a subscription, he says. You need to figure out what restores youand make it part of your week. That might be ten minutes of stillness, a walk outside, or a strategy game that clears your mind.

Hes also asking educators and training programs to give space for this kind of self-care.

If you want residents to learn, they need to think clearly. That wont happen if theyre constantly overwhelmed.

What You Can Do

Dr. Posner invites peers and trainees alike to take small steps that build long-term balance:

• Pause before reacting
• Practice daily mindfulness, even for five minutes
• Step outside or away from screens
• Reflect on mistakes without self-blame
• Find one activity that grounds youand protect it

Medicine isnt about having all the answers, he says. Its about staying curious. And you cant be curious if your mind is too tired to ask questions.

About Dr. Andre Posner
Dr. Andre Posner is a board-certified family physician and hospitalist based in Philadelphia. He has taught and practiced at Penn Medicine, Bryn Mawr Hospital, and Lower Bucks Hospital. He is also Medical Director at Greater Philadelphia Weight Loss and Family Medicine. Dr. Posner is widely recognized for his mentorship, teaching, and human-centered approach to care.

Read more from Dr. Andre Posner and about how you can get involved at https://www.drandreposner.com