You signed up to be a doctor, not a martyr

Dear doctor, I need you to be healthy. When I come to you for help, I need your “A” game. I need you sleep enough. Eat healthy food. Not too much. Mostly vegetables. I need you to exercise regularly and take time to take care of your own physical, emotional and spiritual needs. I need to you use the bathroom when you need to. I need you to stop and take a deep breath when you are frustrated. I need you to deal with your relationships in healthy ways. Get the help you need to be healthy. Take time for yourself. Find quiet space for creativity. Enjoy the sun on your cheeks on occasion. I need you to laugh with your loved ones. Be there physically and emotionally, even when they don’t need you, and there is no crisis. I need you to accept yourself as human, be gentle and loving to yourself, don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes. Learn from mistakes and move on. Don’t repeat them. I need you to be at your best. If you don’t take care of your own needs, how can you take care of mine? And for how long can you keep it up? I need you to be healthy so that you can do what you are here to do — practice medicine, in the best way that you can. Oh, I know you think you can do it all. You’ve been “doing it all” for years. Your colleagues and friends “do it all. “ Work days and nights and days again without sleep.  Watch a video of your child’s first steps and tell yourself you will see the next ones in person. Consider lunch a granola bar eate...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Patient Primary care Source Type: blogs