Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) honors the incredible work of our clinicians in advancing maternal health and transforming care. Each month, we’re spotlighting stories that showcase our clinicians’ expertise and impact, highlighting how they set the standard, drive innovation and redefine care.
Breaking the burnout cycle: supporting women in medicine
At OBHG, we know that the calling to practice medicine is both rewarding and demanding. Few specialties embody this balance more than obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Christina Adams, an OB/GYN hospitalist in St. Augustine, not only provides exceptional care to her patients but also coaches fellow physicians—especially women—who are navigating burnout. She has experienced both the joys and the challenges of this field firsthand.
Dr. Adams says that the field of obstetrics is unique. It combines delivering babies, performing surgeries, and building meaningful, long-term patient relationships. But alongside those rewards comes a heavy emotional and physical toll. Dr. Adams has personally faced burnout, an issue that disproportionately impacts women physicians.
The double burden on women physicians
Dr. Adams points out that female physicians are often held to conflicting standards: to work as if they don’t have children and to parent as if they don’t have jobs. Layered on top of this are the pressures of perfectionism—juggling patient care, leadership roles, and the invisible mental load of family responsibilities.
This constant balancing act can lead to exhaustion and stress. As women physicians pursue leadership opportunities, they encounter what Dr. Adams describes as the double bind: being perceived as too soft if they are not assertive enough, or too aggressive if they assert themselves strongly. Walking that fine line takes its own toll.
“Female physicians are generally expected to work as if they don’t have kids and to parent as if they don’t have a job. To feel like you’re not doing a good job at either aspect of your life is a challenge. All of those sorts of things play into women getting burned out because you’re just trying to juggle all the balls and keep them all in the air and it becomes more than one human can manage.”
– Dr. Christina Adams
Recognizing burnout
Burnout doesn’t always manifest as fatigue. According to Dr. Adams, it often shows up as irritability—frustration with colleagues, patients, or even loved ones. At its core, burnout is a chronic stress condition, and OB/GYN remains one of the highest specialties in terms of self-reported burnout rates.
A particularly concerning statistic: 40% of women physicians either reduce to part-time or leave practice altogether within six years of completing training.
This exodus has consequences not just for physicians, but also for patients, who face longer wait times and fewer providers in an already stretched healthcare system.
Moving toward a more sustainable future
Dr. Adams believes that creating a more sustainable path forward for women physicians requires systemic change. Some of the strategies she highlights include:
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Setting and protecting boundaries, even when it disappoints others.
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Exploring flexible scheduling models, such as job sharing and alternative work arrangements.
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Utilizing coaching and peer support, which can help physicians reframe challenges and build resilience.
“No one else will protect your time for you,” Dr. Adams explains. “It’s up to each of us to prioritize our well-being.”
A shared commitment
At OBHG, we are committed to supporting hospitalists like Dr. Adams and addressing the challenges that lead to burnout. By creating space for flexibility, mentorship, and sustainable career models, we can ensure that women physicians not only stay in the workforce but thrive—bringing the best possible care to the patients who depend on them.
Thanks to this flexibility, Dr. Adams now has the time to pursue her passion for coaching physicians. She focuses especially on supporting women who are experiencing burnout, helping them set boundaries, reframe challenges, and rediscover fulfillment in their careers. This balance allows her to continue providing exceptional patient care while also making a meaningful impact on the lives of her colleagues.
Because when physicians are well, patients benefit too.
Want to hear more?
Hear even more of Dr. Adam’s story in a recent podcast she recorded with OBHG’s The Obstetrics Podcast. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on wellness, advocacy, and the future of women in medicine.
Be sure to check out other stories on how our clinicians, freed from on-call duties and business concerns, are now able to pursue their unique passions. Give them a listen.
Ready to expand your career with OBHG?
Our recruiters want to help you find the job location that’s the best fit for you and your family. Explore our clinical careers or sign up to meet on-one-on with an OBHG clinician.
OBHG is setting a new standard in maternal healthcare by fostering a culture of safety, education, and collaboration. Clinicians like Dr. Adams exemplify how OB hospitalists can lead the way in improving outcomes for mothers and babies while finding personal and professional fulfillment.