Physician Small Groups: Conversations Among Friends
We know that as a physician, your challenges, joys, losses and wins are unique — and no one understands them better than other physicians. That’s why we created our chapter of Finding Meaning in Medicine.
These intimate, small group gatherings hold space for physicians to come together and share stories, find support and focus on fellowship, cultivating meaningful connections that extend beyond the group and into our practices.
Our small groups meet regularly and encourage safe, non-judgmental and non-competitive interaction among physicians. The group discussions promote support, understanding, insight and a shared connection to our medical calling.
Inside Our Groups: Finding Meaning, Together
Hear from our chapter founder and the physicians who join us as they describe what our Finding Meaning in Medicine group means to them.
Take It From a Physician: Dr. David de Ramos
“I have been involved with our small group at church for years. Even though we have shared so much together over the years, a huge hole for me was how I process some of the stresses that I experience as a physician. You know what I am talking about: dealing with angry patients or families, poor outcomes, malpractice threats, deaths of patients.
Even though I have shared so much of my life with my church small group, every one of them is a patient. None of them are my patients, but all of them are patients. They will always see things from the patient’s point of view.
This is where Finding Meaning in Medicine groups can meet a need. Physicians can come together in a small group where they can sit down and comfortably talk about a topic of concern and build collegiality, as well as confidence and friendship with their colleagues.
In one of the Finding Meaning in Medicine groups that I ran, one of the physicians in the group whom I have worked with and referred patients to for years expressed that she didn’t know what to expect from the group. She came because I had asked her to, and she left stating that she really enjoyed getting to know her colleagues on a different level.
We are all captains of our own ships, but we do not need to be alone out in the ocean. Bringing our ships together in a Finding Meaning in Medicine group can help us sail our ships safer and happier.”
– Dr. David de Ramos, Family Practice
Discussion Group Topics and Guidelines
Finding Meaning in Medicine is a conversation that invites physicians to speak from the heart, physician-to-physician, about personal experiences in their everyday lives that provide access to the deeper meaning of the practice of medicine.
Each meeting is organized around an announced topic. The "price of admission" is a story from your own experience — either personal or professional life — that relates to the topic. Everyone is invited but never required to share a story. Participants are encouraged to respond personally and openly to what they have heard.
- Work-Life Balance
- Compassion
- Listening
- Mistakes and Forgiveness
- Anger
- Trust
- Renewal
- Humility
- Honesty
- Encouragement
- Gratitude
- Forgiveness
- Spirit - Spirituality- Prayer
- Service
- Humor
- Collaboration
- Commitment/Calling
- Loss
- Surprises
- A Physician I Admire
- Grace
- Suffering
- Clarity
- Dignity
- Surrender
- Fear
- Awe
- Mystery
- The lmpactful Patient
- Outlook
- A leader I admire
- A grateful patient
Finding Meaning in Medicine Additional Resources
Find specific resources for CMI/PWB team members to order and download that aid in the conversation and development of Finding Meaning in Medicine meetings.