MUSM Clinical Faculty Development Series

1. Describe the physiological mechanism (the HPA axis / "pregnenolone steal" framework) by which chronic stress prioritizes cortisol production over repair and reproductive hormone synthesis. 2. Recognize the clinical consequences of chronic cortisol elevation and insufficient sleep (metabolic dysregulation, cardiovascular risk, immunosuppression, and impaired cognitive performance) as they relate to common presentations. 3. Identify evidence-based sleep-hygiene interventions and principles of nutrient timing and exercise intensity, explaining their downstream effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and cognitive function — applicable both to patient counseling and physician self-care. 4. Explain the rationale for sequencing behavior-change interventions individually rather than simultaneously, and apply that principle to reduce burnout risk when counseling patients or restructuring one's own routine.