The COVID-19 pandemic helped bring out people’s true colors. After two years of the unrelenting pressures of the pandemic, people’s true colors came out, and I will be frank about this truth. As physicians, we often put our patient’s comfort before ours, but at what point does one have to stop and reflect on this. As physicians, we are often put on a pedestal and have unrealistic expectations. We want physicians to be rock stars, we want physicians to be superhuman, and we want physicians to deal perfectly with all situations.
Yet physicians do the best they can, and they are not perfect. Also, despite a physician’s best effort, they have to work within a not-so-perfect system. Although physician burnout is a real thing, physician pressure exists as well. This is where society needs to step up and help balance the scales.
Society has unrealistic expectations of physicians too. Society expects physicians to be available all the time and other unspoken requests (including answering emails on weekends and evenings). Yet, we know that physicians’ lives exist outside of work and must have some downtime or else they will suffer from burnout. Physician burnout is not just about having an emotional meltdown because of stress; it can result in physician depression and suicide.
Two years after the start of the pandemic, I want to ask you, what does the saying “health care hero” and “front line worker mean to you”? Does it leave you with a sense of pride about your ongoing sacrifice? Or, perhaps, it strikes a cord another way. Maybe you, like many others, feel that those words are mainly lip service.
Let’s not kid ourselves. Come on, that physician is a hero for taking the call in the middle of the night? Is that physician a hero for getting to work early or staying late? Most physicians are heroes by what they do every day, but I don’t think society sees it because physicians are getting paid; then, by default, they are seen as “just doing their job.”
It took me over a decade to acknowledge that I was tired of the traditional medical model and the unrealistic expectations being placed on me. I wanted a situation where there was more patient accountability. The patient-physician relationship was more of a partnership, where the patient knew that the success of their life outcomes was directly proportional to the effort they put forth. So I want a situation where both partners refuse to accept a bandaid approach to health care and do the work needed to get great results. So how often have patients complained about ailments, year after year, but refused to take ownership of their actions?
I hope physicians will embrace their role as physicians, advocates, leaders, and change agents. I wish for all physicians to feel the passion I have felt since becoming aware of this model of care. The physician is willing to take personal accountability for their health and asks the patient to accept part of that responsibility.
Regardless of the health model you subscribe to, make sure you keep healthy boundaries and not define yourself by your profession. I strongly recommend physicians have a strong identity outside medicine. Remember, you are human, too, and your health and wellness should be your number one priority. Please don’t let the term “health care hero” or sentiments like ” you signed up from this” minimize your humanity any longer. Quite frankly, the prominent people that see and understand your continuous sacrifices are you and those most important to you. Being strategically selfish in your self-care is not selfish. We ask our patients to do the same, so why do we expect different from ourselves.
Tomi Mitchell, a family physician and founder of Dr. Tomi Mitchell Holistic Wellness Strategies, is not only a distinguished international keynote speaker but also a passionate advocate for mental health and physician’s well-being, hosting her podcast, The Mental Health & Wellness Show. With over a decade of experience in presenting, public speaking, and training, she excels in creating meaningful connections with her audience. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and book a discovery call.
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