Finding Your Professional Nirvana

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Dr. Kaur takes us on a deeply personal journey from traditional healthcare settings to founding her own direct primary care practice, which she calls her "professional nirvana." After nearly a decade in corporate medicine, including positions at prestigious institutions, she found herself facing a critical realization: her mental health was suffering in ways that hadn't happened even during profound personal tragedy.

"When my mental health started to get affected by my job, that's when I realized – this is just a job," she reflects. This moment became the catalyst for a four-year process of introspection that ultimately led her to launch her own practice. The transition wasn't easy – it required draining retirement accounts and facing significant financial uncertainty. Yet despite these challenges, she describes being happier than ever because she can finally practice medicine aligned with her values.

Through candid conversation, Dr. Kaur dismantles the notion that physician happiness should be secondary to patient care. She explains how direct primary care enables her to have meaningful conversations with patients about all aspects of their health – discussions that often surprise patients accustomed to rushed healthcare encounters. "I can actually give care in the amount and to the degree which care is needed and be fulfilled that I did my best," she explains.

Perhaps most poignantly, she shares that one of her father's final reflections was regretting that he spent his life working to meet others' expectations rather than pursuing what truly made him happy. Whether you're considering a similar path or simply seeking greater fulfillment in your current role, this conversation offers a valuable perspective on creating a sustainable, joy-filled medical career. Connect with Dr. Kaur on Instagram @drkkaurmd or via email at [e-mail].

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Though I am a physician, this is not medical advice. This is only a tool that physicians can use to get ideas on how to deal with burnout and/or know they are not alone. If you are in need of medical assistance talk to your physician.


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