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When you work in an intense field like medicine, your job might eventually take a toll on your mental health. In 2025, 49.8% of emergency medical practitioners reported at least one symptom of burnout, according to the American Medical Association . And persistent burnout could set the stage for an early retirement, which may be good for your outlook but less good for your finances.

There may, however, be a better way — a sabbatical .

If you tuned into the Emmy-winning medical drama The Pitt last season, you know that the storyline revolved around Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch's planned sabbatical. Robby, the show's main character, had planned a three-month motorcycle trip to escape the grind and trauma of the emergency department, where he works as an attending physician.

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