another question...

[abcxyz0123]

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I was just wondering, when you become an EM resident/attending, or even any physician for that matter, does work occupy your mind all the time, even when you're at home? For example, I know med students say they always feel guilty that they're not studying whenever they go out, so they always have medicine-related stuff on their mind. Does that continue on throughout and after residency? Do you ever feel guilty for not keeping up with enough medical literature, or making sure that whatever medical skills you have stay sharp?

 

[southerndoc]

I was just wondering, when you become an EM resident/attending, or even any physician for that matter, does work occupy your mind all the time, even when you're at home? For example, I know med students say they always feel guilty that they're not studying whenever they go out, so they always have medicine-related stuff on their mind. Does that continue on throughout and after residency? Do you ever feel guilty for not keeping up with enough medical literature, or making sure that whatever medical skills you have stay sharp?

I read a lot, but I also have an outside life -- gym, movies, etc. The dating life kind of sucks right now though (she dumped me, go figure).

 

[Jeff698]

For example, I know med students say they always feel guilty that they're not studying whenever they go out, so they always have medicine-related stuff on their mind.

That type of obsession, for me anyway, didn't last much past Step I after second year. My OCD was pretty much out of control for the first two years of school. After that, I realized there was a point of diminishing returns that I'd long gone past. I chilled out and aimed for a more balanced life.

I suspect most people do the same (if not coming to this realization much sooner than I did).

Take care,
Jeff

 

[Doczilla]

I was just wondering, when you become an EM resident/attending, or even any physician for that matter, does work occupy your mind all the time, even when you're at home?

I suppose that virtually any job with any kind of intellectual challenge will do that. Lawyers, stockbrokers, nurses, executives, etc. have their work on their minds as well. My wife, who does sales at a hotel, wakes up at night thinking about work stuff. If the job isn't challenging, then it's the work gossip that occupies your mind.

For example, I know med students say they always feel guilty that they're not studying whenever they go out, so they always have medicine-related stuff on their mind.

We call them gunners. That fades away when they actually have a job and no longer feel the need to claw to the top of the heap, letting the competition get weeded out in the process. That, or they've been browbeaten into believing that they are the dumbest student in the class and are inches from failing. Again, this pressure gets relieved once they are employed and have paid their dues.

Seriously, most physicians I have talked to read journal articles and keep up with recent evidence through whatever organizations they belong to. Med students have to read so much because they have to learn everything from scratch. The attendings already have a knowledge base there, so their daily reading quota is not so huge.


'zilla