Physician burnout may not happen. But “burn in” is guaranteed.

I saw a new residency graduate post about how balanced she will choose to be and how not taking work home would keep her idealism alive. Like a woman who has been pregnant and gone through delivery and postpartum, I wanted to tell her the truth about how emotions get changed in practice and how the emotions become physical ailments at times. I wanted to tell her birthing and raising a baby isn’t always lavender and lace. When I started practice ten years ago, I would hear the seniors talk about taking call and traveling from office to hospitals and how a high census was draining their “old bodies.” I felt like a fresh packet of Pop Rocks. I rolled my eyes and asked to double the load for side money. I had a one-year-old then, and she was built to be my daughter. My husband was supportive, and my soul was intact. Never did I see an end to my stamina. Four years later I dug deep while pregnant with my son and took all my call ahead and performed the entire pregnancy in the top 5. I left for maternity leave and for the first time thought I missed a lot of my first child’s childhood. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs