Keeping Your Cool

I think it is important to recognize that these young doctors are under a lot of stress. And it is essential that they recognize this in themselves. The training is challenging and can be quite demanding, both physically and emotionally. Everyday is filled with experiences that require a deep emotional reservoir to help one cope with the psychological demands of the day. Patients are in pain, they are ill, they may be suffering. And we, as caregivers, need to provide comfort, encouragement and hope. It is not enough to be polite (and sometimes even that may be a challenge); physicians need to be empathetic and compassionate. And to our co-workers (and loved ones for that matter) we must remain kind and pleasant. It's easy to lose one's cool when you're tired and stressed-out. I am hopeful that these young doctors will answer the phone call from the nurse, for example, with the same friendly tone at the end of the year as they do at the beginning. It's what we call, being professional. Read more.

Finding Time for One's self

While the life of an intern can be particularly demanding, one of the things I personally try to encourage is "extracurricular" activity. All these individuals are multi-talented and have outside interests that have been an important part of their lives, whether it's sports, music, art, literature, family, religion, etc.

In certain respects, medical school and residency (to some degree) prolong their "adosescence." They have to put their lives on "hold." Residents' lives become extremely focused on their work. They may lose touch with those things that have brought them pleasure and happiness (not to say that the practice of medicine is not fulfilling) - things that contribute to their general well-being.

I try to encourage our residents to pursue their outside interests and passions - to continue to grow and blossom as individuals; to find themselves again. This, in turn, makes them more real, in touch, and perhaps, better doctors. Read more.