Member May 2026: Live, Laugh, Love: Balancing Life as an Inpatient Rehabilitation Physiatrist (On-Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session, hosted by Craig D. Tommaso for AAPM&R’s inpatient rehabilitation community, focused on work-life balance, career sustainability, and the unique challenges and rewards of inpatient physiatry. The panel included physicians at different career stages who shared practical strategies for managing demanding clinical work alongside family, personal health, and professional growth.<br /><br />Dr. Nicolette Hernandez emphasized that balance is seasonal, not equal every day. She described building systems, scheduling personal priorities first, automating tasks, and protecting cognitive bandwidth by saying no more often. She stressed that being “just” an excellent physician is enough.<br /><br />Dr. Asha Duka highlighted the importance of boundaries, self-awareness, and intentional presence at home. She discussed the emotional and administrative burden of inpatient rehab, including constant accessibility, documentation demands, and peer-to-peer reviews. Her advice: know your values, negotiate fairly, protect time outside the hospital, and accept that “good enough” is sometimes enough.<br /><br />Dr. Susan Crozier described career evolution over time, from heavy clinical and academic demands during child-rearing years to a more balanced phase with administrative leadership, mentoring, and broader professional involvement. She encouraged making work fun, outsourcing mundane tasks when possible, nurturing friendships, and preparing for future life stages, including retirement.<br /><br />In the discussion, the panel addressed managing regulatory burden, insurance peer-to-peers, and the pressure to be always available. Practical solutions included team-based support, scribe help, structured communication with nursing staff, and perspective shifts that frame advocacy as part of the job rather than a personal failure.<br /><br />Overall, the group expressed optimism about the future of inpatient rehabilitation, citing growing recognition of its value, improved workflow tools, and the field’s ability to offer meaningful, flexible, and fulfilling careers.

Keywords

work-life balance

career sustainability

inpatient physiatry

inpatient rehabilitation

boundary setting

documentation burden

peer-to-peer reviews

professional growth

physician burnout

career evolution