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Sometime ago I realised that almost all doctors are neurotic. You
would struggle to be otherwise if you were doing a good job. Controlling
this neurosis is part of the life: work balance. Recognising this as a
problem would change many of the HR governance systems in medical
organisations. However admitting you are neurotic is difficult for
"winners". Not admitting it can be disastrous for the individual and the
team.
Spence describes medicine as a safe career. I disagree. There is
little safety in making grey decisions about people's lives. Minor
omissions, which would barely register as events in many careers, can
result in death and serious sequleae that cause much suffering for both
patients and doctors. I do not call that safe.
Awareness of the potential disastrous and unsafe nature of the job
causes the neurosis. Neurosis can be helped by creative and relaxed
thinking with no immediate consequences or judgement, but of course that
is precluded in good medical practice.
Doctors probably overly emphasise the neurotic aspects of the job
within themselves and in their social lives. That creates a perception of
not appreciating the "final destination."
However simple calm reflection and looking "over the fence" usually
results in an appreciation of the enduring interest of the job.
Neurosis is Mandatory and other Things
Sometime ago I realised that almost all doctors are neurotic. You
would struggle to be otherwise if you were doing a good job. Controlling
this neurosis is part of the life: work balance. Recognising this as a
problem would change many of the HR governance systems in medical
organisations. However admitting you are neurotic is difficult for
"winners". Not admitting it can be disastrous for the individual and the
team.
Spence describes medicine as a safe career. I disagree. There is
little safety in making grey decisions about people's lives. Minor
omissions, which would barely register as events in many careers, can
result in death and serious sequleae that cause much suffering for both
patients and doctors. I do not call that safe.
Awareness of the potential disastrous and unsafe nature of the job
causes the neurosis. Neurosis can be helped by creative and relaxed
thinking with no immediate consequences or judgement, but of course that
is precluded in good medical practice.
Doctors probably overly emphasise the neurotic aspects of the job
within themselves and in their social lives. That creates a perception of
not appreciating the "final destination."
However simple calm reflection and looking "over the fence" usually
results in an appreciation of the enduring interest of the job.
Competing interests: No competing interests