Pump the brakes on your week to make your life as a surgeon just a little better…
Jeff welcomes to the podcast family physician and physician coach, Ken Dodge, MD.
As physicians, most of our stress and frustration doesn’t come from not knowing what to do. Rather, it comes from not knowing what we need. In medical terms, when you fail to identify a need, you miss the diagnosis. If we can identify these needs, it can go a long way to reducing stress in our day-to-day lives.
When we say needs, we don’t mean preferences or wants. Needs are core human drivers like rest, autonomy, a sense of meaning, connection, etc. When our needs aren’t met, some type of suffering or adversity will occur.
These needs constantly shape our behaviors, whether or not we’re aware of them. Every decision we make is an attempt to meet a need. For example, if a physician stays late at work it may be that they have a need for approval.
It’s important to distinguish between needs and strategies to deal with our needs (lest a strategy becomes a need). Think of needs as the diagnosis, whereas strategies are the treatment. Needs are static and non-negotiable, while strategies are flexible. A physician who has a need to be seen as competent, may employ a strategy of staying late and picking up additional shifts. That strategy may work for a time, but eventually it will lead to issues like burnout. That’s not because the initial need is wrong, but that the strategy is serving the need ineffectively.
If we take the time to identify our needs, decisions become clearer and communication improves.
What steps does Ken suggest we do to meet our needs?
- Step 1 – Understand the difference between wants and needs. Before we can focus on meeting needs, we first need to know the difference between needs and wants.
- Step 2 – Identify your specific needs. Instead of asking yourself “what should I do?” ask yourself “what do I need?”
- Step 3 – Develop strategies to address those needs. This may take some time and tweaking. That’s OK!
Most importantly, PRACTICE identifying and addressing your needs!
Have feedback? Did this episode resonate with you? Share your thoughts by emailing Team@surgeonmasters.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Ken Dodge, MD
Dr. Ken Dodge is a retired family physician who devoted 42 years to patient care after earning his MD from Wright State University and completing residency in Dayton, Ohio. With an undergraduate background in psychology from The Ohio State University, he developed a lifelong interest in relationships, emotional health, and personal growth.
Now retired from clinical practice as of June 2025, Ken coaches physicians, offering a compassionate, reflective space grounded in deep listening and respect for emotional and spiritual influences. He is passionate about helping physicians navigate challenges, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and cultivate greater balance and serenity.
Ken is married, a father of three, and a grandfather of five. He enjoys hiking, biking, traveling, and reading.
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