Not becoming jaded

[dhbighit]

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So as I plan to enter medical school next semester I am incredible excited, fairly nervous, and very passionately driven. My fear is that, like most doctors I have encountered, and like most things in my life, I tend to become jaded. Perhaps this is a confounding variable in the personality type of people who typically become physicians.... just a thought I had as I am writing this.... Anyway, I hate this, and I don't want it to happen. So, what do you think? How do I keep my passion for people and love of medicine? I feel like the best physicians I have met are the ones that genuinely care about each an every patient, not the ones who view them as a problem that just needs to be solved and move on.

Is it inevitable? Cause I refuse to accept that, fear its implications, and struggle with how to avert it.

Just some thoughts, maybe this should be in the medical student section?

 

[Bacchus]

Everyone becomes jaded but to varying degrees. Expectations play a HUGE role in how you feel at the end of this but so does your personality and resiliency. Can you make it out of this happy? Of course, a lot of physicians do. However, there are so many [unnecessary] rigors through the process that its hard not to have even a slight amount of jadedness. You don't have to be ho hum or angry, but be realistic.

 

[niranjan162]

I also think that what happens to healthcare in the future will play a part in this. If you really wanna not become jaded, you can get into a position (political) so that you can actually do something to make medicine better. you'll probably be less jaded if you know its gonna get better.

 

[fightinI]

So as I plan to enter medical school next semester I am incredible excited, fairly nervous, and very passionately driven. My fear is that, like most doctors I have encountered, and like most things in my life, I tend to become jaded. Perhaps this is a confounding variable in the personality type of people who typically become physicians.... just a thought I had as I am writing this.... Anyway, I hate this, and I don't want it to happen. So, what do you think? How do I keep my passion for people and love of medicine? I feel like the best physicians I have met are the ones that genuinely care about each an every patient, not the ones who view them as a problem that just needs to be solved and move on.

Is it inevitable? Cause I refuse to accept that, fear its implications, and struggle with how to avert it.

Just some thoughts, maybe this should be in the medical student section?

Deep down in inside, even the most "jaded" physician cares about his or her patient. There is wisdom to the idea of limiting one's emotional investment in
a patient or the job in general, given that disappointments are inevitable. It's a defense mechanism more than anything else.

 

[littlealex]

Poster above pretty much summed it up: jaded is good.
You can still pretend to care and use empathetic statements to help convince your patients that you care.

 

[fewcherpeedsdoc]

So as I plan to enter medical school next semester I am incredible excited, fairly nervous, and very passionately driven. My fear is that, like most doctors I have encountered, and like most things in my life, I tend to become jaded. Perhaps this is a confounding variable in the personality type of people who typically become physicians.... just a thought I had as I am writing this.... Anyway, I hate this, and I don't want it to happen. So, what do you think? How do I keep my passion for people and love of medicine? I feel like the best physicians I have met are the ones that genuinely care about each an every patient, not the ones who view them as a problem that just needs to be solved and move on.

Is it inevitable? Cause I refuse to accept that, fear its implications, and struggle with how to avert it.

Just some thoughts, maybe this should be in the medical student section?

what you have to ask yourself is, "are you a dynamic person? are you someone who will define themselves as ONLY a physician?" these are two things i've asked myself because I think it will help me identify whether I will become a jaded, unhappy physician/human being. those that are the most happy in life dont define themselves by what job they have. yes, you'll be dedicating a lot of time towards this goal of being a physician, but dont let it overshadow other opportunities that may bring out greater happiness, such as, policy jobs or political office or consulting or teaching etc...
be dynamic...dont limit yourself to one career/goal/expectation in life. you'll find yourself never becoming jaded.

 

[sindadel]

Make sure from the beginning to maintain balance. People become jaded when they put too much of themselves into something and then burn out. They get resentful that their patients, co-workers, bosses etc. don't appreciate the amazing lengths to which they are going.

So, when you are an MS1, set aside regular time each week to do stuff other than medicine that you love. Continue this practice. You may get overwhelmed during busy times, but you will have a work-life balance state that you can return to when thing are a little easier. When you have free time, LEAVE the hospital and do something else.

Good luck. Being aware of this as an issue and guarding against it is a lot of the battle.

 

[RoadRunner17]

It's called real life. You should have your outlets to deal with this... bring some balance into your life.

 

[CharmCityRunner]

What I have observed in the practice I work for now is that the doctors knew from the start that the healthcare system they were entering was flawed. They expected to deal with the bureacratic stuff, but they also expected that their service to their patients would be rewarded with appreciation and satisfaction. But many patients choose to be unhealthy- they don't care to put in the effort required. And then when something goes wrong, they jump on an opportunity to sue. Not everyone is like this of course, but its enough to lead doctors to become jaded... And I work in an ophthalmology practice! I can't imagine the frustrations in other areas.

The point is that your expectations need to be realistic from the start. It seems that the happier physicians are able to focus on the positive... they aren't bogged down by their frustrations with their patients. Instead they try to adapt and find new ways to get through to them. Its all about understanding what you are REALLY getting into, and making sure that you could still love your job even if its not perfect.

 

[Pghboy18]

So as I plan to enter medical school next semester I am incredible excited, fairly nervous, and very passionately driven. My fear is that, like most doctors I have encountered, and like most things in my life, I tend to become jaded. Perhaps this is a confounding variable in the personality type of people who typically become physicians.... just a thought I had as I am writing this.... Anyway, I hate this, and I don't want it to happen. So, what do you think? How do I keep my passion for people and love of medicine? I feel like the best physicians I have met are the ones that genuinely care about each an every patient, not the ones who view them as a problem that just needs to be solved and move on.

Is it inevitable? Cause I refuse to accept that, fear its implications, and struggle with how to avert it.

Just some thoughts, maybe this should be in the medical student section?

I think it is inevitable if you're already worrying about it. I really think things like this can be self-fulfilling. I think that if you can stop yourself from worrying about being jaded - ie. by following some of the advice from other posters - you'll be more open to seeing the potential positive sides of a medical career not just now as you start, but as you continue through it.