Transcript The Exceptional Physician How to Avoid Being a Miserable Doctor1,2 A Presentation for MGH Physicians Kendall L.

The Exceptional
Physician
How to Avoid Being a
Miserable Doctor1,2
A Presentation for MGH Physicians
Kendall L. Stewart, MD, MBA, DFAPA
March 26, 2009
1My
aim is to offer practical insights you can put to use in your personal and professional lives.
let me know whether I have succeeded when you complete your evaluation form.
2Please
Why is this important?
• You would think doctors
would be happy.
• Actually, a good many
doctors are miserable.
• But there are also some
contented, exceptional
physicians out there.
• Years ago, I made up my
mind to be one of them.
• I’ve been studying contented
and miserable physicians for
years.
• I’ve learned some things
about how to avoid being a
miserable doctor.
1When
2Annie
• After this presentation, you
will be able to:
– List three reasons why some
doctors are miserable,
– Describe three unpleasant
consequences of choosing to
be miserable,
– Identify three practical
strategies to avoid
beicoming miserable doctor,
– (If you have already become
miserable, these strategies
may help you recover,)
– Explain why these
strategies are called for and
how to bring them off.
I was asked to give a talk (as an expert!) out of town, I decided to do some basic research.
Queen asked me whether I was going to take the nurses’ comments personally.
Why are some doctors so miserable?
• It’s not because they enjoy being miserable.
• They may have an illness that makes them
miserable.
• They may have developed personality traits and
coping strategies that make them miserable.
• They may have learned from poor role models.1,2
• They may have developed bad habits.
• They may have come to believe that being
miserable is normal.
• They almost always believe they are fully
justified in feeling the way they do.
• They always believe it is someone else’s fault.
• They may be evil. (Fortunately, this is fairly
rare.)
1You
2A
have to feel sorry for these poor, miserable cusses, but they actually inspire me.
miserable thoracic surgeon nicked his glove.
What are some of the consequences
of being miserable?
• It results in chronic emotional arousal
with all of its consequences.
• Chronic anger is not just unpleasant, it is
deadly.1,2
• Emotional arousal
– Compromises your judgment,
– Distorts your perceptions, and
– Triggers impulsive behavior.
• The joyful people avoid thee.
1Anger
2A
begets defensiveness and defensiveness begets regrets.
defensive (arrogant) medical student lectured me about Eaton-Lambert syndrome—a lipid storage disease!
What strategies will help you avoid
being a miserable doctor?
• Embrace discomfort.
• Remain passionate about the
pursuit of excellence.
• Resist the seduction of
materialism.
• Stifle the urge to flaunt your
power.
• Abandon arrogance as a
defense.
• Beware feelings of
entitlement.
• Clarify expectations.
• Quit being so cynical.1,2
• Stop being so sensitive.
• Choke off pointless
rumination.
1Some
2A
• Become passionate about
health and fitness.
• Become a customer service
champion.
• Build and nourish a team.
• Learn to solve problems
effectively.
• Give back.
• Maintain an even-keeled
temperament.
• Teach.
• Keep on learning.
• Communicate effectively.
• Improve key patient-care
processes.
cynicism is healthy, but exclusive reliance on this view of life will make you miserable.
man went to apply for social security and forgot his wallet.
Become passionate about health and
fitness.
• Why should you?
• How can you?1,2
– The most effective
treatment for many
illnesses is lifestyle
change.
– Your patients need
healthy role models to
help them make those
changes.
– Physicians who practice
what they preach are
more credible persuaders.
– A healthy lifestyle is
enormously relaxing and
satisfying.
1I
recently prepared a lecture on the psychiatric aspects of obesity.
me illustrate the power of teaching by example.
2Let
– Follow your own advice.
– Make a commitment and
hold yourself
accountable.
– Share your own struggles
to discipline yourself.
– Share the strategies that
have enabled you to
achieve your goals.
What have we learned?
• Given our privileged lives, you would think most physicians
would be happy.
• But many of us are not.
• If you have any doubt, just visit the closest physicians’ lounge.
• Many of us would not go into medicine again, and most of us
recommend that our children choose another career.
• Ignoring our blessings, we make ourselves miserable by
seeing only those things that don’t go our way.
• The destructive perceptions, attitudes and behaviors that
make us miserable are emotional traps that are best
recognized and avoided.1
• This presentation has suggested some practical strategies
that can help you avoid these physician traps.
1My
beginning in Portsmouth was not auspicious. But I heard the voice of God in Kmart.
Where can you learn more?1
• Stewart, Kendall L., et. al. A Portable Mentor for
Organizational Leaders, SOMCPress, 2003
• Stewart, Kendall L. et. al, “On Being Successful at
SOMC: Some Practical Guidelines for New Physicians”
A SOMCPress White Paper, SOMCPress, January 2001
• Stewart, Kendall L., “Bigwigs Behaving Badly:
Understanding and Coping with Notable Misbehavior”
A SOMCPress White Paper, SOMCPress, March 11,
2002
• Stewart, Kendall L., “Relationships: Building and
Sustaining the Interpersonal Foundations of
Organizational Success” A SOMCPress White Paper,
SOMCPress, March 11, 2002
• The Executive Staff, “Rules of Engagement: Some
Expectations for SOMC Staff,” SOMCPress, 2002
• Refer your patients (and yourself) to an incredible, free
health and fitness site at
http://sparkpeople.com/index.asp. (When asked who
referred you, please type in kendalllstewart.)
1Please
visit www.KendallLStewartMD.com to download related white papers and presentations.
How can you contact me?1
Kendall L. Stewart, M.D.
VPMA and Chief Medical Officer
Southern Ohio Medical Center
President & CEO
The SOMC Medical Care Foundation, Inc.
1805 27th Street
Waller Building
Suite B01
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
740.356.8153
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.somc.org
www.KendallLStewartMD.com
1All
speaking and consultation fees benefit the SOMC Endowment Fund.
Are there other questions?
www.somc.org
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