At the start of a new year, many physicians don’t feel burned out, they feel unsettled.
In this January Reset re-air, I’m bringing back my conversation with Dr. Cindy Dafashy, a family medicine physician who opened her direct primary care practice directly out of residency.
This episode isn’t about how quickly she launched or whether her path should be copied. It’s about the distinction she names so clearly between being clinically prepared and actually feeling ready.
Dr. Dafashy reflects on learning medicine inside a culture designed primarily for physicians, then realizing that patients don’t live inside that world at all. She shares how shifting away from medical language and toward patient-centered communication changed not just her practice, but her sense of alignment as a physician.
You’ll also hear her talk about boundaries and how she set expectations early, how she framed access without over-promising, and how she protected her energy before burnout ever took hold.
This episode pairs closely with the free January reflection worksheet, Is DPC Right for You?, especially if you’re navigating early-career uncertainty or wondering whether something that looks “right” on paper actually feels sustainable.
As you listen, notice what resonates and what creates tension. Those reactions are the point.
January Reset Invitation
Download the free January worksheet, Is DPC Right for You?, and answer just one prompt after this episode. One sentence is enough.
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