World Class Athletes and Physician Leaders: Same or Different? With Dr. Naakesh Dewan

Overview: In this episode, Mike Sacopulos interviews Naakesh Dewan, MD, CPE, DLFAPA, FASAM, a certified physician executive and internationally recognized expert in healthcare quality and digital innovations. Dewan shares his journey from collegiate athlete to physician executive and discusses the parallels between high performance in sports and medicine.

Key Topics:

1. Physicians versus Professional Athletes:

   • Dewan compares physicians to world-class cognitive athletes and discusses how sports techniques can influence medical practice and leadership, emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being in both fields.

2. Well-Being and Burnout:

   • Both physicians and athletes must manage purpose, satisfaction, adaptability, and control to maintain their well-being. Dewan addresses the root causes of physician burnout and offers individual-level strategies for tackling it.

3. Role of Organizations and Leaders:

   • Healthcare leaders have a responsibility to create supportive work environments to reduce the impact burnout has on physicians and regulatory and productive aspects of the organization.

4. Lessons in Leadership and High Performance:

   • Setting ambitious goals and adapting to challenges are crucial. Dewan highlights the importance of learning from others and maintaining mutual accountability within support systems.

Takeaway: High performance in sports and medicine requires a balance of technical skills, mental resilience, and well-being. As healthcare leaders, we must create environments that support physicians' well-being, prioritize self-care, and foster peer-to-peer support. By building trust and addressing burnout, we can maintain positive and effective practices.

Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership .