Michelle Van Kuiken, MD, highlights strategies for setting professional boundaries

In an interview at the Society of Women in Urology 15th Annual Clinical Mentoring Conference, Michelle E. Van Kuiken, MD, highlighted a panel discussion on setting boundaries. During the discussion, she emphasized the importance of setting professional and personal boundaries as a critical component of sustaining a healthy work–life balance and long-term career satisfaction in urology.

Van Kuiken is an assistant professor of urology and the associate chair of faculty wellness at the University of California, San Francisco.

Van Kuiken explained that the panel discussion centered on defining what boundaries mean in practice and recognizing that they are highly individualized. She noted that expectations and thresholds may vary widely among clinicians, particularly for women in urology who often navigate multiple professional and personal responsibilities. The discussion also addressed how to determine which situations warrant firm boundaries vs those that require flexibility—especially in a field where physicians must remain responsive to patients and colleagues. Additionally, the panel explored the tendency for certain administrative or supportive tasks to disproportionately fall to women, emphasizing the importance of identifying when to accept or decline such responsibilities to maintain professional equity and prevent burnout.

In terms of actionable strategies, Van Kuiken emphasized the value of establishing clear boundaries early in one’s career. She highlighted that taking on additional responsibilities—while sometimes beneficial—can lead to “task loading” that becomes difficult to reverse over time. As such, she encouraged clinicians to align decisions with their personal values and long-term goals when determining what to take on or delegate. Clear and consistent communication was identified as a key tool, both in setting expectations with colleagues and in protecting time away from work.

Finally, Van Kuiken underscored practical techniques to reinforce boundaries, including proactive planning and communication. For example, setting detailed out-of-office messages and preparing coverage in advance can help ensure that time away is respected and uninterrupted. More broadly, she stressed that both verbal communication and demonstrated behaviors are essential in reinforcing boundaries, enabling physicians to balance professional demands with personal well-being while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care.