If you're interested in reading a phenomenally written article about what being a physician is really like, I highly recommend reading this article from KevinMD.com.
It articulates some of the strains on medical professionals and answers the questions of "But you're a doctor now, aren't you making a lot of money?"
Although I will add, I am not complaining - I would do it all over again in a second. The rewards are undoubtedly worth it to me.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Expectations for a New Physician
As I walk into orientation, I am handed a bag full of items. As I pull things out one by one I find:
A long white coat with my name embroidered on the right side and the hospital logo on the left. As I try it on I realize that people expect different things now that my coat has grown longer by a foot. I am expected to know the answers. I am expected to know enough to help my patients get better or keep them well. I am expected to advise parents despite the fact that I have no children of my own. I am expected to stop looking over my shoulder when someone calls out "Doctor." I am expected to uphold the values of the profession. I am to be a physician.
A pager with a number already publicized for all hospital staff to access at will. I am to be reachable at all times now. I am expected to return any page within five minutes and will never know until I pick up the phone if my patient needs a simple dose of Tylenol or is struggling to breathe. I am expected to know what to do when that pager beeps and a patient or a nurse needs something from me. I am to be accessible.
Business cards already printed with my name, M.D. Below that is listed my office hours and appointment line phone number. I am expected to convince patients and their parents that they want to request that I be their physician every time they come for a visit. That they want me, a first year resident, to be their pediatrician. That I will take care of them. That I know what I'm doing enough to be a helpful resource for them. I am to be likeable.
A pass-code security device that allows me to access patient charts from anywhere with an internet connection. I am expected to be trustworthy and respect patient privacy. I am expected to understand the laws regarding patient privacy and security of information. I am expected to be willing to be audited at any time and have my every mouse click scrutinized and analyzed for intent. I am expected to have integrity. I am to be trusted.
Hospital-issued, baby blue scrubs immaculately pressed for the first and last time. I am expected to look professional even when called into a patient's room at 4:00am. I am expected to willingly spend as many nights at the hospital as teamwork demands. I am expected to respond with a smile even if my pager beeps every 5 seconds from 1:00am on with requests that need not be handled in the middle of the night. I am expected to tend to my patients needs even if I have not slept because they need me more than I need sleep. I am to be selfless.
An ID badge featuring my smiling, well-rested face that will likely look less like how I do as the year goes on. The hospital logo, "my name, M.D.", and "pediatrics" printed in bold across the front. I belong to an organization nationally recognized for excellence. I belong to a profession recognized for selflessness, sacrifice and empathy when done well. I belong to a field of medicine known for being the "nicest physicians". I am to belong and be worthy of belonging.
As I look down at my new belongings spread across the table, I cannot help but be filled with immense pride, awe and excitement. I am proud to be where I am. I am in awe of where I am blessed to be. And I am beyond excited to begin this chapter of my journey. I pledge to fight burnout, negativity, callousness and bitterness. I am going to strive to be an accessible, likeable, trustworthy, selfless and worthy pediatrician. And I'm going to try to never lose this sense of awe at a dream becoming reality.
A long white coat with my name embroidered on the right side and the hospital logo on the left. As I try it on I realize that people expect different things now that my coat has grown longer by a foot. I am expected to know the answers. I am expected to know enough to help my patients get better or keep them well. I am expected to advise parents despite the fact that I have no children of my own. I am expected to stop looking over my shoulder when someone calls out "Doctor." I am expected to uphold the values of the profession. I am to be a physician.
A pager with a number already publicized for all hospital staff to access at will. I am to be reachable at all times now. I am expected to return any page within five minutes and will never know until I pick up the phone if my patient needs a simple dose of Tylenol or is struggling to breathe. I am expected to know what to do when that pager beeps and a patient or a nurse needs something from me. I am to be accessible.
Business cards already printed with my name, M.D. Below that is listed my office hours and appointment line phone number. I am expected to convince patients and their parents that they want to request that I be their physician every time they come for a visit. That they want me, a first year resident, to be their pediatrician. That I will take care of them. That I know what I'm doing enough to be a helpful resource for them. I am to be likeable.
A pass-code security device that allows me to access patient charts from anywhere with an internet connection. I am expected to be trustworthy and respect patient privacy. I am expected to understand the laws regarding patient privacy and security of information. I am expected to be willing to be audited at any time and have my every mouse click scrutinized and analyzed for intent. I am expected to have integrity. I am to be trusted.
Hospital-issued, baby blue scrubs immaculately pressed for the first and last time. I am expected to look professional even when called into a patient's room at 4:00am. I am expected to willingly spend as many nights at the hospital as teamwork demands. I am expected to respond with a smile even if my pager beeps every 5 seconds from 1:00am on with requests that need not be handled in the middle of the night. I am expected to tend to my patients needs even if I have not slept because they need me more than I need sleep. I am to be selfless.
An ID badge featuring my smiling, well-rested face that will likely look less like how I do as the year goes on. The hospital logo, "my name, M.D.", and "pediatrics" printed in bold across the front. I belong to an organization nationally recognized for excellence. I belong to a profession recognized for selflessness, sacrifice and empathy when done well. I belong to a field of medicine known for being the "nicest physicians". I am to belong and be worthy of belonging.
As I look down at my new belongings spread across the table, I cannot help but be filled with immense pride, awe and excitement. I am proud to be where I am. I am in awe of where I am blessed to be. And I am beyond excited to begin this chapter of my journey. I pledge to fight burnout, negativity, callousness and bitterness. I am going to strive to be an accessible, likeable, trustworthy, selfless and worthy pediatrician. And I'm going to try to never lose this sense of awe at a dream becoming reality.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
What am I?
Patient (talking to the attending while pointing at me): Is she a student?
Attending: Nope, she's a doctor too.
...later in the conversation, while the attending is explaining something to me...
Patient: I thought she was a doctor?
Attending: She is, but she's also learning.
Patient: So she is a student?
Attending: No, she's a doctor.
Don't worry kid, I don't really know what I am either.
Attending: Nope, she's a doctor too.
...later in the conversation, while the attending is explaining something to me...
Patient: I thought she was a doctor?
Attending: She is, but she's also learning.
Patient: So she is a student?
Attending: No, she's a doctor.
Don't worry kid, I don't really know what I am either.
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