A recent medical graduate reflects on the importance of self-care for healthcare professionals, arguing that it should be considered a matter of medical ethics rather than an indulgence. Drawing on personal experiences and observations, the author emphasizes the link between a doctor's wellbeing and their ability to provide quality patient care.
Studying medicine is not an identity – and self-care should be considered a matter of medical ethics rather than an indulgencefter four long years of study, I wrapped up a medical degree this year. It’s been an adventure, and the downturn in activity post-exams has made me pensive. Way back in orientation week, an enthusiastic clinician noted that they still consider their time at medical school to be some of the best years of their life.
To be fair, my perspective is framed through a markedly different context. I commenced medical school as a (very) mature-aged student, so it’s entirely possible the best years of my life were already behind me. Nonetheless, I did escape with an abundance of medical knowledge and some important life lessons. Here are the main three.‘First, do no harm’ begins with self-care I used to work with a wonderfully zen woman in a bureaucratic job in the health sector. One day we were in a meeting where we all had to discuss our goals for the coming reporting period. People usually listed ambitious KPIs but her number one goal was “self-care”. Afterwards, she and I had a great chat about prioritising self-care and wellbeing in the workplace. You do better work for the communities you serve when you look after yourself, we agreed. Years later, during a lecture on medical ethics, I found myself pondering the oft-repeated phrase “First, do no harm”. I was reminded of my colleague.With the first intervention on the path of patient care? Or by ensuring you’re safe and well enough to practise medicine in the first place? The sad truth is that, despite its objective to improve health in the community, the medical vocation has been guilty of an almost paradoxical aversion to safeguarding the health of its practitioners. Mental ill-health, exhaustion, burnout and the physical effects that accompany them are common among medical professionals, and it’s not difficult to imagine them resulting in patient har
Medical Ethics Self-Care Healthcare Professionals Burnout Patient Safety
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man charged over alleged hit and run that left man needing 'lifetime medical care'Police said it was "a horrible case of Antonio being in the wrong place at the wrong time".
Read more »
House Ethics Committee Accuses Matt Gaetz of Sexual Misconduct and ObstructionThe US House Ethics Committee has released a scathing report accusing Rep. Matt Gaetz of engaging in sexual misconduct, including paying for sex with a minor, and obstructing their investigation.
Read more »
Gaetz Accused of 'Regularly' Paying for Sex, Impeding Ethics ProbeThe US House Ethics Committee accused Representative Matt Gaetz of 'regularly' paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress. The bipartisan panel's report details sex-filled parties and vacations Gaetz took part in from 2017 to 2020. Congressional investigators concluded Gaetz violated state sexual misconduct laws while in office, but not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found he 'knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct' the committee's work. Gaetz denies the allegations and claims the report was politically motivated.
Read more »
US House Ethics Committee Accuses Matt Gaetz of Sexual Misconduct and ObstructionThe US House Ethics Committee has accused Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of engaging in prostitution, statutory rape, and illicit drug use while in office. The 37-page report details parties and vacations Gaetz attended from 2017 to 2020, alleging he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct. The committee also found Gaetz obstructed their investigation. Gaetz denies the allegations, calling the report politically motivated.
Read more »
Gaetz Accused of Sex, Drug Use and Obstruction in Ethics ReportThe US House Ethics Committee has accused Rep. Matt Gaetz of 'regularly' paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old, and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress. The 37-page report concludes a nearly four-year investigation and highlights explicit details of sex-filled parties Gaetz participated in. Gaetz is accused of violating House Rules and state laws related to sexual misconduct, and obstructing the investigation.
Read more »
F1's return to Africa a step closer, governing body approves ethics changeFormula 1 has not raced in Africa since the last South African Grand Prix was held at Kyalami, north of Johannesburg, in 1993.
Read more »