Corrigan's secret door, and the busy physician.

 

More often than none, we're swamped with work, especially the junior doctors.

You've just finished ward rounds and you have mop-ups to do, as you’re about to start, your consultant reminds you about the presentation you’re yet to make, and as you’re about to go, a patient besides you starts to gasp. As you rush to the bedside you get a call from home about bills and then you remember you have to go to the bank.

Sound familiar?

It’s almost inevitable, physicians are almost always busy, and with more extensive treatment guidelines, more patients, and less doctors to man the hospitals, it may seemingly get worse.

But it’s not a recent phenomenon. 

Physicians of old had it rough too. Sir James paget often saw more than 60 patients per day and would travel a great distance to see them. What about Sir Dominic Corrigan? He was so busy he literally built a secret door where he would sometimes run away for a bit to catch some fresh air and rest away from the numerous patients.

Breathe.

You must take care of yourself, and find habits that’ll keep you going. Understand that you’re not alone, take any chance you can get, through any means, to rest. Eat as much as you can and do not look for extra work for yourself. Vibe, enjoy, have fun with your colleagues and the nice patients. Ensure your rota is fair and complain when unfair.

I hope this helps someone.

-Dami.

Inspired by a similar theme from the Oxford handbook.