I am a medical doctor and I am frustrated. I am frustrated with the state of our healthcare system, frustrated with the way we are treated as medical professionals, and frustrated with the way our patients are treated. I have been a medical doctor for barely 2 years and I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have seen how our healthcare system can work and I have seen how it can fail. I have seen how patients can be treated like commodities and I have seen how they can be treated like human beings. I am writing this diary to vent my frustrations and hopefully provide some insight into the realities of being a medical doctor in today’s world.
The training
The training is long, intense, expensive and draining. It takes a toll on your personal life and your finances. You make sacrifices and compromises along the way. You miss out on important events in your family and friends’ lives. You work long hours for little pay. All of this is for the chance to save lives and make a difference.
The long hours
Working long hours is a reality for many medical doctors. There is currently a brain drain across health workers globally. This is because health workers put in a lot of hours working with little or no rest. This leads to burnout and frustration.
There are a few things that you can do to cope with the long hours. First, make sure to take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and exercise regularly. Second, create a support system of family and friends who understand your situation and can offer emotional support. Finally, try to find ways to enjoy your work. Find meaning in your patients’ stories, connect with your colleagues, and take pride in your profession.
Working long hours is a difficult reality for many medical doctors, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. With some self-care and support from loved ones, you can find ways to thrive in your career.
The patients
I see a lot of patients every day, and it can be frustrating when they don't seem to understand what I'm saying. I try to explain things as clearly as possible, but sometimes they just don't seem to get it.
It's especially frustrating when I know that the information I'm trying to give them could potentially save their lives, but they just don't seem to be interested in listening. I have to keep reminding myself that everyone is different and that some people are just more resistant to change than others.
I guess it's just part of the job, but it can be discouraging sometimes.
The paperwork
The paperwork associated with being a medical doctor can be frustrating. There are a lot of forms to fill out and documents to keep track of. It can be difficult to stay organized and keep up with the paperwork. One has to record and document anything and everything. Especially in this day and age when doctors are being wrongfully sued
The politics
The politics of medicine are complex and frustrating. There are many special interests and pressure groups that influence medical decision-making, and the process is often slow and opaque.
As a doctor, I see the impact of these politics firsthand. I watch as patients suffer and sometimes die while waiting for treatments that are being blocked by bureaucracy or simply bad governance. I see good ideas languish because they don't fit into someone's ideology or because they might upset some powerful interest group.
It's disheartening to watch and one of the main reasons I decided to write this down. I hope to one day be able to give a voice to the frustrations of front-line doctors and to provide a forum for discussion of the politics of medicine.
The lack of appreciation
It's sad that despite being a noble profession, doctors are one of the least appreciated. Either thru salary, gratitude from their patients and most times even among their colleagues. It is quite frustrating that after putting in all the long hours and sacrificing so much, we get little or no appreciation