Published in Academic Medicine, this study identifies health-promoting strategies employed by experienced physicians. Analysis revealed three dimensions to a definition of prototypical resilience processes: (1) gratification from treatment interactions; (2) practices (i.e. leisure-time activities, limitation of working hours, continuous professional development); (3) attitudes (i.e. acceptance of professional/personal boundaries, focus on positive aspects of work, personal reflexivity). Reported strategies and attitudes help develop mental, physical, and social resource pools that fostered effective decision making, thereby encouraging the maintenance of resilience-promoting abilities. The study advises enriching traditional stress management approaches with the dynamic of positive and negative resource spirals.