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Over the past decade, discussions surrounding the medical profession have shifted from focusing on what makes a ‘good’ doctor to prioritizing the happiness and well-being of physicians. In discussions, being good and being happy are increasingly presented as opposites. Excellence seems to become a forbidden word, instead we focus on physicians being well. I argue that such polarization is both misguiding and unjustified. It distracts from what the conversation should be about: the loss of medicine as a relational service where the doctor-patient relationship is at the center.

This does not negate the fact that good performance and professional happiness are under pressure – as I acknowledge in this article. The solution may be as simple as it is radical: reunite ‘good’ and ‘happy’ in conversations, in organizations, and in healthcare policies. Research shows that both are necessary to keep the profession sustainably vital and to continue providing high-quality patientcare.

Conflict of interest and financial support: ICMJE forms provided by the author are available online along with the full text of this article.