Jarrod Shapiro, DPM Practice Perfect Editor Assistant Professor, Dept. of Podiatric Medicine, Surgery & Biomechanics College of Podiatric Medicine Western University of Health Sciences, St, Pomona, CA

For many, this past week was a significant religious milestone of the year. Easter Sunday just passed, as did Passover.

These holidays are perfectly situated to help us take a moment, step back, and consider our professional lives. In America, we tend to define ourselves by our careers, and this is no truer than in medicine. We spend so many years of hard toil and labor while in medical school, residency, and sometimes fellowships to learn our trade. We then put endless hours into building a practice and professional career - not to mention family - that sometimes not much is left for ourselves. Consider the effects of this high paced, high pressure medical life in which we invest so much of ourselves. A recent study found almost double the risk for depression in physicians with high levels of occupational stress (Tomioka, et al. 2011). Similarly, a cross sectional survey of 7905 surgeons found a 40% rate of burnout, while 30% screened positive for symptoms of depression (Shanafelt, et al. 2009). What I found sad about the results of this study were that only 36% of physicians felt they had enough time for personal life and family, and only 51% said they would recommend medicine as a career option.

It’s not coincidental that both Easter and Passover occur during the end of winter-and mark the beginning of spring. Interestingly, the events behind each of these holidays - resurrection and deliverance from slavery – have the common theme of freedom and renewal. We in the medical profession, whether physician, nurse, therapist, assistant, or any other designation, should take a step back and consider the message offered by these very old religions: stop and smell the roses, revive and free yourself from the daily grind.

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This is the time to plan vacations, for thoughtfulness and reflection about where each of us is in our professional and personal lives. Step back and look at yourself for a moment. Are you truly happy with your situation? Are you overworked? Overstressed? Depressed? If so, realize none of those feelings are healthy. Not seeing your family enough? Take a moment and recall they’re the reason you do what you do, the reason you work so hard. Of course, if you never see them, what’s the point? If any of these statements ring true, the next step is to make a change in whatever way is best for you.

I know it sounds touchy-feely, all this “thinking about myself” stuff, but consider this pause a spring cleaning for the soul. Don’t be a slave to your career. Instead, stop for a moment, get away, and find the best way to resurrect yourself, so you can continue to be that best physician, husband, wife, father, and mother you’ve always wanted to be. Enjoy your freedom. Happy Easter. Chag Sameach.

Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments. Better yet, post them in our eTalk forum.

Best wishes.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]

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