Finding Purpose: The Secret to Healthcare Career Satisfaction

Authored By: Ellie Altmann Art By: Michelle Choi

Do you believe that everyone has a ‘calling’ in life–a purpose or something to live for? In an industry as wide-ranging as healthcare, where almost anyone could find a career that satisfies their interests, how does one recognize their calling? Is it a medical specialty, a specific work experience or memorable patient interaction, a desired lifestyle, or a combination of all these factors? Furthermore, how does recognizing one’s ‘calling’ influence their career satisfaction and well-being? There are many reasons why undergraduates, like me, pursue medical careers: the income potential and job stability, the allure of a white lab coat and stethoscope, opportunities for lifelong learning, the desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of others, or the ability to explore diverse career paths within the industry. It becomes clear that within each of these factors lies the idea of a ‘calling,’ one that aligns personal values, professional aspirations, and a sense of purpose—ultimately guiding individuals toward a career in medicine.

The healthcare industry is currently facing a burnout crisis, with studies indicating that more than half of U.S. physicians experience significant work-related stress, contributing to job dissatisfaction and poor mental health [1]. Physicians are experiencing burnout at twice the rate of workers in other fields, with the prevalence increasing among medical students and residents. These statistics are especially concerning for pre-med students like me! Burnout doesn’t just affect physicians—it also impacts the quality of care and patient safety. Medical errors and patient mortality rates increase with higher levels of emotional exhaustion among physicians. Furthermore, between 2011 and 2013, each 1-point decrease in job satisfaction was associated with a 67% higher likelihood of reduced professional effort. This decline in productivity is estimated to be equivalent to eliminating the graduating classes of seven medical schools. For a healthcare system that is already struggling to meet access needs, these numbers are alarming. Studies also show a strong link between burnout and career fit. Physicians who spend less than 20% of their work on activities that feel personally meaningful are 275% more likely to experience burnout. This suggests that pursuing a medical specialty that aligns with one’s personal interests and passions is crucial to reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction.

If following a ‘calling’ correlates with work zest, professional and life satisfaction, a greater sense of purpose, and commitment to one’s career, I’m sure many of us want to know what our calling is. But what does it mean to really have a calling? The concept of calling is complex and defined in three dimensions: classical, modern, and neoclassical [2]. The classical dimension of calling relates to the external pull to fulfill a higher spiritual calling or society’s needs. The modern dimension involves a deeply personal and meaningful experience that drives someone to pursue a career offering similar fulfillment. Finally, the neoclassical dimension is concerned with one’s prosocial orientation–the motivation to serve the common good. As a result, calling is often linked to compassion, which is why it is commonly experienced by healthcare professionals, whose primary purpose is to serve others. In a recent poll, nearly 3 out of 4 physicians reported that they see their career as a calling rather than a job [3]. What should a calling to medicine look like? It should not be based on the desire for financial gain, community prestige, or the constant pursuit of personal gratification. These surface-level expectations can lead to disappointment and, ultimately, career dissatisfaction. Instead, physicians who self-identify as having a calling to medicine describe their experience as driven by a prosocial motivation, a religious or spiritual pull, or an alignment with personal beliefs and values instilled by others [4]--each of which corresponds with a different dimension of calling. The pursuit of a calling is an ongoing journey, as callings evolve overtime, particularly as healthcare provider’s face the demands and stresses of their careers. Oftentimes, callings aren’t realized until after a career trajectory is developed, as they require self-exploration and educational or career-related experiences to come to fruition. There is not any single moment that one’s calling dawns on them; determining your calling requires patience and an open-mind [5]. 

Pursuing a career in medicine comes with challenges and periods of questioning. The academics are rigorous and the hours can be long, but it is a common theme that healthcare providers are reminded of their calling when their patients show up for their help, and if you would drop anything to show up for them, you have realized your calling.

References

1.  Dyrbye, L. N., Shanafelt, T. D., Sinsky, C. A., Cipriano, P. F., Bhatt, J., Ommaya, A., West, C. P., & Meyers, D. (2017). Burnout among health care professionals: A call to explore and address this underrecognized threat to Safe, High-Quality care. NAM Perspectives, 7(7). https://doi.org/10.31478/201707b 

2. Kallio, H., Kangasniemi, M., & Hult, M. (2022). Registered nurses’ perceptions of having a calling to nursing: A mixed‐method study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(5), 1473–1482. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15157 

3. Malatt, A. (2023, May 24). When Medicine is a ‘Calling’ - To Medicine with Love. To Medicine With Love. https://tomedicinewithlove.com/articles/when-medicine-is-a-calling/#:~:text=Nearly%203%20in%204%20US%20physicians%20who,as%20a%20good%20profession%20or%20a%20job.&text=Some%20are%20called%20by%20the%20energy%20of,community%2C%20amongst%20peers%2C%20with%20family%20or%20friends. 

4. Bott, E. M., Duffy, R. D., Borges, N. J., Braun, T. L., Jordan, K. P., & Marino, J. F. (2017). Called to Medicine: Physicians’ experiences of career calling. The Career Development Quarterly, 65(2), 113–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12086

5. American Medical Association & American Medical Association. (2017, March 29). Dr. Vox: The moment I knew medicine was my calling. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/dr-vox-moment-i-knew-medicine-was-my-calling