Thursday, April 14, 2011

Physician Wellness Resources


Patricia Lindholm, MD,
2010-2011 MMA President
I am always trolling for good physician wellness resources.  I have several to share with you this time.

You may have seen an excellent article in the New York Times on physicians taking control over their work hours and lifestyle. 

What is particularly compelling about this article is that it discusses the decision process of a third-generation physician in choosing her specialty.  It also discusses the reactions of her father and grandfather who had traditional endless-hour practices.  Many of us in practice can relate to all three generations and their points of view.

Another important and exciting resource recently came to my attention.  There is a conference in May in Albuquerque by the Osler Institute that looks wonderful.  I personally will not have time to attend but want to pass along the information to you.  This is the type of conference I have dreamed about creating for Minnesota physicians, but am glad that someone is doing it!  

Speaking of conferences I will be attending the Rachel Remen workshop on “The Healing Power of Story: Opening to a Deeper Human Connection.”  Many of you have attended Dr. Remen’s programs and I have heard nothing but rave reviews.  I am excited to go to this meeting in California in early June.  The longer I practice the more I realize that practicing medicine is largely about listening to and honoring our patients’ stories.  I also have come to appreciate that all human relationships are based in stories and these are the links that often connect us to each other.  I will be happy to share with you any “pearls” that I find at the workshop.

I have another book review for you in my next blog entry.  Be well!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Reflections on Resilience


Patricia Lindholm, MD,
2010-2011 MMA President
We have watched with awe and horror as events unfolded recently in Japan.  A massive earthquake, a devastating tsunami and then nuclear plants close to meltdown.   To a resident of Japan these events must have felt like the beginning of the end of the world.  Yet there were many acts of heroism including workers risking death by radiation poisoning to save their families and neighbors.  The Japanese are well known for their resilience.  I have no doubt that they will rebuild and work to make their country even more protected from natural disasters.
Resilience is the key to carrying on with life in spite of the pain, obstacles and other challenges that we face.  Every medical student must have resilience.  The brightest in college are now average students in medical school.  They must reframe their self-assessment and continue in a medical education.  As residents we continue to be trainees but assume more responsibility for the care and safety of our patients.  During residency a mistake can do very real harm.  The resilient resident confides in and relies on her fellow trainees as well as her faculty.   If we learn well, we discover that providing health care is indeed a team sport. 
I can recall a number of devastating experiences during residency having to do with poor outcomes for patients.  As we tend to be perfectionists, I am sure that you understand that I punished myself multiple times, feeling that I was not worthy of the profession, feeling that I had let someone down.  I felt like a fraud, an imposter.  I have had similar feelings as an attending physician.  In talking with close colleagues, I know that I am not alone in having these feelings. 
In moments of professional distress, we need each other.  We need to support and provide a reality check for a colleague who did their best and yet had a poor outcome.  The reality in the vast majority of cases is that our colleague is a good, caring physician.  We would do well to remind our colleagues of this again and again.  All of us have thought, “There but for the grace of God go I.”  The wounded healer feels alone and isolated and believes that he is constantly being judged by colleagues and other members of the health care team.  Sometimes the belief is well founded, which is an indictment of us all. 
In the 25 years in practice after residency, I have become more humble.  I have stepped off the pedestal I had built for myself over years of striving and pretending to be all-knowing, all-competent.  I remember once praying for humility some years ago, and then feeling afraid of what would logically happen if my prayer were fulfilled:  humiliation.  Well, that has happened but life did not end. 
Many things contribute to our resiliency, such as the love and support of our families, friends, and colleagues, and the appreciation of patients and their families.  Sometimes we also need professional help and therapy to get back on our feet.  I believe that reaching out for help is a sign of strength and wisdom.  Receiving care may feel unfamiliar to us but it is part of the complete human experience.  Try it sometime.