By: Kili Preitauer, CEO of Override
I run a multidisciplinary telehealth group practice with more than 40 clinicians across pain medicine, psychology, physical therapy, and coaching. One pattern we consistently see is clinicians coming to us after feeling burned out in more traditional models of care. They often describe feeling rushed, reactive, and disconnected from meaningful patient progress.
Many are looking for a different way to practice, one that allows them to address root causes, spend time on education and behavior change, and work within a team. When clinicians shift into that model, we often see not only improved patient outcomes but also a noticeable improvement in their sense of purpose and professional satisfaction.
That’s why these findings on lifestyle medicine and burnout resonate with me.
1. Initial Thoughts on the Findings
I’m not surprised by the findings. Burnout is frequently tied to moral distress and a sense of ineffectiveness. When clinicians are able to practice in a way that addresses the drivers of chronic disease, sleep, stress, movement, nutrition, and social connection, they often feel more aligned with why they entered medicine in the first place.
In our practice, we see clinicians regain a sense of impact when they can work upstream instead of simply managing downstream complications.
2. Why Lifestyle Medicine May Improve Clinician Wellbeing
There are several likely mechanisms.
First, lifestyle medicine shifts the clinical encounter from reactive to proactive. That shift increases a clinician’s sense of agency.
Second, it often allows for longitudinal relationships. Seeing a patient’s pain improve because they are sleeping better, moving more, and regulating stress differently creates visible progress. That reinforces professional efficacy.
Third, lifestyle-based approaches tend to be collaborative and team-oriented. In a multidisciplinary setting, clinicians are not carrying the entire burden of change alone. That shared responsibility reduces isolation, which is a significant contributor to burnout.
We regularly see clinicians report greater satisfaction when they can work within a biopsychosocial framework rather than feeling confined to brief, procedure-focused visits.
3. What Lifestyle Medicine Is
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach to preventing and managing chronic disease by addressing modifiable behaviors and social determinants of health.
Core pillars include:
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Sleep
- Stress management
- Social connection
- Reduction of harmful substances
It complements traditional medical therapies. It is not an alternative to evidence-based medicine, but an expansion of it to address the underlying contributors to disease and dysfunction.
4. Broader Benefits of Reduced Burnout
Reducing burnout has system-wide implications.
Lower clinician burnout is associated with improved communication, better safety outcomes, lower turnover, and stronger patient trust.
From a leadership perspective, clinician well-being is not separate from patient outcomes. When clinicians feel effective and supported, care quality improves. The two are tightly linked.
5. Limitations
Lifestyle medicine is not a cure for systemic burnout. Administrative burden, productivity pressure, and EHR inefficiencies remain significant drivers.
It should be viewed as one piece of a broader solution that includes organizational change, workflow redesign, and access to mental health support when needed.
No single clinical philosophy can compensate for structural dysfunction.
6. How Clinicians Can Use These Findings
Clinicians experiencing burnout can reflect on whether their current practice model allows them to work in a way that feels aligned with their professional values.
In some cases, small shifts toward more education, prevention, and longitudinal engagement can increase meaning. In other cases, it may require larger structural changes in the practice setting.
Importantly, the principles of lifestyle medicine apply to clinicians themselves. Sleep, movement, stress regulation, and social connection are not just patient interventions; they are protective factors for clinician health as well.
