I often leap onto my soapbox and forget to mention all the great things about my life and job. I must thank Joel Rose who did the NPR article for Day 2 Day, and did a fantastic job focusing on the positive aspects of my practice. I am so grateful for his spectacular interviewing and editing skills, I can't get over what a great job he did on the article.
And also, thanks to the many people who have sent encouraging replies or emails to the blog or the NPR piece. It always renews my spirit to hear other docs talk about the real priorities in family medicine, and to hear patients that appreciate docs who really do care, and are supportive.
And also thanks to my sister Kath, for sending the letter to npr in the first place.
And of course to Al, because I'd be nowhere without him.
And, I wouldn't want to leave out my friends and family, the support and stress relief are beyond measure.
Happy New Year.
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2 comments:
Thanks to you!
I am a first year medical student planning on being a family physician. I also am frustrated with our current health care system. But I am HOPEFUL! At times I get discouraged watching my preceptors who feel trapped in the system. Yet, I keep telling people times are changing, and you are a great example of just that! As you stated, the system has worsened in the past 4 years, but hopefully it can better in the next 4.
Thanks so much for the inspiration! If you ever have any ideas as to how a student can strive for change, let me know. Thanks again!
Peace,
Kate
Kate, Keep the Faith!!! I realize so often what a great time this is to be in medicine, when I was in high school (in the 80s) I did a paper on HIV, at that time a disease that was fatal within 5-10 years, now people live long full lives! And we're getting vaccines for (cervical) cancer, and knowlege of how to treat heart disease is exponentially larger. It is so cool to see all that growth and knowlege.
Then, of course we are faced with the backslide of "healthcare", but this is still a job worth doing (and doing well). So, strive for change, but keep your own priorities. If you can't change the system, keep your own world how you want it to be. If you think visits should be longer than 10 minutes, don't take a job where they schedule 10 minute visits. People will believe your actions and your attitudes, and if enough of us live that way, change will come from that.
The next 4 years should be interesting, and I think Obama has some good ideas; not quite powerful enough in healthcare yet, in my opinion, but I think, all in all, it's going to be a fun ride.
Hang in there.
My general advice to med students
-play as much as you can. you probably need a break.
-don't work if you are too tired. you'll regret it if you do something stupid.
-don't panic.
-most of all, move to south jersey, we need family docs here!!
(i live 3 miles from the beach, bet you can't say that in minnesota!)
ec
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