Go beyond CME at Whole Health Summit, built new from your feedback

Not too long ago, I was having lunch with a friend, a fellow family doctor. We caught up as usual about life and family and work. Then she asked if we could talk about something that have been bothering her about AAFP resources. 

The story she candidly and thoughtfully shared made it clear to me that the AAFP needed to do better with our wellness resources and how we help family physicians solve challenges that prevent them from taking care of their whole health. And the thing is, I'd heard similar stories from other family physicians around the country.

So, we developed the Whole Health Summit (WHS)—an event centered on practical, grounded education to alleviate family physicians' unique stressors. Join me there May 17-19 in Charlotte, North Carolina, to learn best practices based on what members told us they need, and leave with a concrete plan for solving your own biggest challenge.

A summit designed by you, for you 

It turns out family physicians are humans and we need the same things our patients need to thrive: access to nutritious food, time for exercise and body movement, nurturing communities who support us in our passions, time to rest and play, economic stability, a safe work environment. Just as our patients do, each of us has different needs. Some of us need education, others skill building or access to support and networking. Whole Health Summit is designed to connect you with what you most need. 

We hear from members all the time about what they need and about their key challenges. WHS is centered on what we’ve learned from that feedback. It is designed by you and for you. Based on what you’ve told us that you need to thrive, we are bringing you the best of the best practices—tools you can start to implement the day you get home. 

We’ve also heard your feedback that, while you want safe spaces to relax, breathe and play, you can do that on vacation. You told us you’d prefer a conference that helps you learn new skills, flags new ideas and connects you with new resources or people who can improve your day-to-day lives. You are looking for solutions. That’s the Whole Health Summit.

WHS is more than CME

Now, if you’re like my friend, you may be asking: Seriously, Margot? I pour out my heart and you offer me CME?  

CME is a love language for me, but that’s a fair question. The CME at this event honors that kind of vulnerability, and that’s one reason I am genuinely excited it. Yes, it’s CME, but it fills a gap left by traditional CME and past wellness events. Whole Health Summit is the first step in a physician health transformation. 

I said this to my friend, and she rolled her eyes at me (with love). Then she asked some questions. I’ll paraphrase our conversation. 

Margot, that sounds a lot like the Physician Health and Well-Being (PHWB) Conference. Did you just rename the conference to trick me into a yoga retreat?

Anyone who saw me try yoga at past PHWB conferences can attest that I am the last person who could trick anyone into the death-pose exercise modality, second only to Pilates at making me glimpse my own mortality. 

So, no, the Whole Health Summit is not our old event in new clothes. We’ve built WHS from scratch. 

A team of family docs worked with us to think through the data you gave us about what is blocking your blessings. Then we sought out best practices and distilled them for presentation to you, guided by practical coaching. At WHS, you will create an action plan to help you solve your most pressing challenge.  

But yes, you can still choose to do yoga, practice mindfulness, take a run or whatever you prefer.  

Why is it called Whole Health Summit if you are not talking about the Veterans Affairs’ WholeHealth model?

We’re using the phrase whole health because we are really leaning into the idea that you cannot truly have whole-person health if you don’t also have a whole doctor practicing in a whole practice in a whole community. To ensure that our family physicians are healthy and whole, WHS includes lifestyle medicine, nutrition, physical activity and sleep recommendations. 

Again, though, the centerpiece here is the opportunity to learn tools tailored to your needs. I’m talking about ways to address administrative burden so you can go home on time and enjoy your family. I’m talking about career development, leadership, change empowerment and even finances. All of these are areas you’ve identified as challenges. 

What are you most excited about?

I’m looking forward to seeing this experience come to life because it truly reflects what you’ve told us you want. The Whole Health Summit meets you where you are because it starts by asking you: What’s getting in your way right now?

I’m also excited about the opening keynote from Will Bynum, MD, a family medicine residency director who researches the effects of shame in health care and other professions. Together with an opening panel about the barriers that frustrate us as family physicians, this is going to change lives. 

Starting an empowerment skill-building conference with a keynote on shame in medicine is a bold choice, but it is exactly right. Cracking open the shell we formed during our training and allowing ourselves space and time to be vulnerable is a key barrier separating us from what we need to heal ourselves and work toward a system that sustains our healed selves. I cannot wait to hear his presentation and to initiate this new aspect of our humanism in medicine journey. 

The AAFP is always here for you 

My friend and I ended our lunch with her offering to consider WHS, and me agreeing to find ways to better connect AAFP resources with our family physician friends who are struggling right now. 

I hope my friend will be there in May, and I hope you’ll be there, too. Even if you don’t attend, though, remember that you don’t have to suffer in silence or feel alone. You don’t have to feel guilt or shame when you need some support. You have a team at the AAFP working all the time to help you.