Students, physicians and stress?

A pamphlet from the Canadian Medical Association for physicians talks about the “impact of stress on physician health and well being.” Canadian physicians are generally unhappy about the increasing demands on their time and energy while resources and rewards are shrinking. In Canada, physicians work in a government under-funded system that survives on budget cuts and rationing services.

The CMA pamphlet begins with a fuzzy statement that could win a prize in the annals of obfuscation: “Stress is part of everyone’s life. A certain level of stress contributes to optimal performance. However, when it is not managed properly, stress can become overwhelming, leading to physical, mental and spiritual difficulties.” 

I acknowledge that some readers would be more receptive to this kind of talk than I am.  However, I would want them to ask what is really going on here? Physicians get tired, discouraged, frustrated and become angry like all other humans.

Physicians tend to be more tolerant and giving than most other humans, but each person has limited understanding and limited resources. When demand exceeds supply, physicians, like other people, get discouraged, tired and angry. They may feel and act badly in a variety of ways.

If we really want to understand the plight of physicians, the first step would be to pledge never to use the word “stress” just as we have pledged never to use the word “psychological” or the word “spiritual.”  These are nonsense words that obscure what is really going on,

There are few physicians who would not respond well to expressions of gratitude, respect and tender loving care. Each one needs more time off and an assistant or two to do all the extra chores demanded of them. Physicians spend much of their time caring for others but seldom receive care themselves.

The increasing tendency for hospital and government administrators is to treat physicians with disrespect and to blame them for the high cost of medical care. Physicians confront injury, disease, cruelty, ignorance and anger most days and often miss opportunities to celebrate the joyful, creative aspects of life.

A basic imbalance for any human is receiving less than he or she is giving. Physicians become overtired, do not eat well or regularly and often fail to enjoy friendly and affectionate leisure time with family and friends…. our description can go on and on. The more we observe specific details of physicians lives (never using the term “stress”) the more we understand how these humans suffer, make mistakes, become dysfunctional and ill or, if they are smart, take a long vacation or quit medicine before they collapse from frustration, disillusionment and fatigue.