Aspirin for primary prevention
March 13, 2011Working within the system
March 24, 2011Just a quick post today to say hello. I am tired! I have been on call on Wednesday night and was quite busy. I am on call again Friday and then will round Saturday. I am afraid tomorrow will also be quite busy too!
I am the first to admit that my current call schedule is not all that bad – only four calls a month and no weekends, only one Saturday morning after we have been on call. When us cardiologists are not around the general internists are kind enough to cover for us. I am much happier now than when I was in training. I actually enjoy my job and have control over when and how much I work, aside from the call obligations of course. I was much less happy at points in my training when I worked much longer hours. It was also very hard on my family, something now that I am rectifying.
While I don’t want to appear as one of the “whiny doctors” (many non-doctors like to bash doctors and say we all feel entitled etc) I do think medicine is one of the hardest jobs around. If I make a mistake someone could certainly die. I think nursing, and caregiving of other sorts (e.g. those who look after an ill family member) have similar pressures – the job can take up all your time and energy and leave nothing left for you and your family at times.
I am curious to hear from those of you who have faced these issues, whether from caregiving or other work-life balance stresses. Certainly any job can be just as destructive on your personal and family time. How have you coped with it? Do you still enjoy your work? How do you make sure it doesn’t overwhelm you??
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3 Comments
Thank you for putting a "human face" on being a doctor!
I feel the same way about what I do, but as long as you still enjoy the work and find it challenging it makes it all worthwhile.
Also when you see the good you do and how it helps others It might be overwhelming but you feel like you are really making a difference in the world.
Thank you for being a great doctor and sharing youe thoughts with us!
Although at times you may be tired or feeling the pressure of your work you never show it. You are always upbeat, friendly and show you care for your patients, your family and everyone you work with. I very happy I have the opportunity to work with you. Sincerely, Nancy
As a family physician, I honestly do feel I have the best job in the world. It is challenging, interesting and rewarding, and I am decently compensated. That said, the stress and responsibility are significant, and sometimes patients are just as guilty of being "entitled" as doctors and they fail to realize that I, too, am human and have a personal life. When my husband died in an accident and I took time off, my staff had to field phone calls from many irate patients complaining about my taking so much "vacation" time. Before, I may have made the mistake of spending too much time and energy at work, but I never will again. Life is too short. As a bonus, taking more time out to enjoy life has allowed me to enjoy my work more.