Maybe you are doing it wrong for you. You sometimes dig your heels in on tradition more because it’s what you are used to seeing than because it actually works well for anyone involved. This is a concept many physicians struggle to accept when you find yourselves anywhere from disillusioned to fully burnt out with the practice of medicine.
There is a very traditional pathway to go from aspiring doctor to practicing physician. Even for those who are considered non-traditional students, the general journey adheres to a standard course. That institutional sameness about how one enters the field can hamstring physicians when thinking about shaking things up once you are in there. There is a general sense of pick a lane and make yourself fit into it.
The limitation of that approach is many physician trainees only see a two-lane road visible during their residency training – full-time academic physician or private practice partner/employee. Little do you realize a little farther up the road there is a left turn that leads to a whole multi-lane highway of opportunities. Contrary to popular belief, every specialty has ways to tweak the approach to patient care to honor your priorities.
A part-time clinical schedule mixed with organizational leadership roles or completely nonmedical endeavors can be the move for physicians with interests beyond bedside medicine. When the required parts of the job that have nothing to do with the physician-patient relationship feel overwhelming and disheartening, variety is a useful strategy to maintain love for clinical medicine.
When I look back on my time as a burnt out early career physician, I realize I limited my options to fix what was wrong for me based on what people around me were doing. Taking a sabbatical from clinical medicine three years out of residency was my big rogue move. When I came back, I felt compelled to get back with the standard program.
If only I had acknowledged my bag of tricks for satisfaction as a clinician was much deeper than taking extended time off. I had merely scratched the surface of ways that made sense for me to switch it up. For instance, previously unconventional clinical jobs like locum tenens and hospitalist are now popular options for my fellow ob/gyns.
When I see younger doctors now, I am encouraged by their willingness to admit the standard version of physician life may not be what they want it to be. It has taken many in my generation getting into their 40s before even allowing their brains to consider that possibility. The earlier you accept your desire for things to be different, the sooner you can start finding or designing the different that is right for you.
Did you enjoy this article? Sign up here to have blog updates and the Essence of Strength monthly ezine delivered directly to your inbox.
If you would like to discuss strategies for doctoring differently, please click here to request an Essence of Strength complimentary clarity conversation.
Dr Jattu Senesie is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, certified success coach, physician satisfaction specialist and speaker. She blogs about issues of self care and well-being in an effort to help her fellow altruistic high achievers find satisfaction in their success as early in their careers as possible.
