The Exceptional Physician How to Avoid Being a Miserable Doctor 1,2 A Presentation for MGH Physicians Kendall L. Stewart, MD, MBA, DFAPA March 26, My aim is to offer practical insights you can put to use in your personal and professional lives. 2 Please let me know whether I have succeeded when you complete your evaluation form.

Why is this important? You would think doctors would be happy. Actually, a good many doctors are miserable. But there are also some contented, exceptional physicians out there. Years ago, I made up my mind to be one of them. I’ve been studying contented and miserable physicians for years. I’ve learned some things about how to avoid being a miserable doctor. After this presentation, you will be able to: –List three reasons why some doctors are miserable, –Describe three unpleasant consequences of choosing to be miserable, –Identify three practical strategies to avoid beicoming miserable doctor, –(If you have already become miserable, these strategies may help you recover,) –Explain why these strategies are called for and how to bring them off. 1 When I was asked to give a talk (as an expert!) out of town, I decided to do some basic research. 2 Annie Queen asked me whether I was going to take the nurses’ comments personally.

Why are some doctors so miserable? It’s not because they enjoy being miserable. They may have an illness that makes them miserable. They may have developed personality traits and coping strategies that make them miserable. They may have learned from poor role models. 1,2 They may have developed bad habits. They may have come to believe that being miserable is normal. They almost always believe they are fully justified in feeling the way they do. They always believe it is someone else’s fault. They may be evil. (Fortunately, this is fairly rare.) 1 You have to feel sorry for these poor, miserable cusses, but they actually inspire me. 2 A miserable thoracic surgeon nicked his glove.

What are some of the consequences of being miserable? It results in chronic emotional arousal with all of its consequences. Chronic anger is not just unpleasant, it is deadly. 1,2 Emotional arousal –Compromises your judgment, –Distorts your perceptions, and –Triggers impulsive behavior. The joyful people avoid thee. 1 Anger begets defensiveness and defensiveness begets regrets. 2 A defensive (arrogant) medical student lectured me about Eaton-Lambert syndrome—a lipid storage disease!

What strategies will help you avoid being a miserable doctor? Embrace discomfort. Remain passionate about the pursuit of excellence. Resist the seduction of materialism. Stifle the urge to flaunt your power. Abandon arrogance as a defense. Beware feelings of entitlement. Clarify expectations. Quit being so cynical. 1,2 Stop being so sensitive. Choke off pointless rumination. Become passionate about health and fitness. Become a customer service champion. Build and nourish a team. Learn to solve problems effectively. Give back. Maintain an even-keeled temperament. Teach. Keep on learning. Communicate effectively. Improve key patient-care processes. 1 Some cynicism is healthy, but exclusive reliance on this view of life will make you miserable. 2 A man went to apply for social security and forgot his wallet.

Become passionate about health and fitness. Why should you? –The most effective treatment for many illnesses is lifestyle change. –Your patients need healthy role models to help them make those changes. –Physicians who practice what they preach are more credible persuaders. –A healthy lifestyle is enormously relaxing and satisfying. How can you? 1,2 –Follow your own advice. –Make a commitment and hold yourself accountable. –Share your own struggles to discipline yourself. –Share the strategies that have enabled you to achieve your goals. 1 I recently prepared a lecture on the psychiatric aspects of obesity. 2 Let me illustrate the power of teaching by example.

What have we learned? Given our privileged lives, you would think most physicians would be happy. But many of us are not. If you have any doubt, just visit the closest physicians’ lounge. Many of us would not go into medicine again, and most of us recommend that our children choose another career. Ignoring our blessings, we make ourselves miserable by seeing only those things that don’t go our way. The destructive perceptions, attitudes and behaviors that make us miserable are emotional traps that are best recognized and avoided. 1 This presentation has suggested some practical strategies that can help you avoid these physician traps. 1 My beginning in Portsmouth was not auspicious. But I heard the voice of God in Kmart.

Where can you learn more? 1 Stewart, Kendall L., et. al. A Portable Mentor for Organizational Leaders, SOMCPress, 2003 Stewart, Kendall L. et. al, “On Being Successful at SOMC: Some Practical Guidelines for New Physicians” A SOMCPress White Paper, SOMCPress, January 2001 Stewart, Kendall L., “Bigwigs Behaving Badly: Understanding and Coping with Notable Misbehavior” A SOMCPress White Paper, SOMCPress, March 11, 2002 Stewart, Kendall L., “Relationships: Building and Sustaining the Interpersonal Foundations of Organizational Success” A SOMCPress White Paper, SOMCPress, March 11, 2002 The Executive Staff, “Rules of Engagement: Some Expectations for SOMC Staff,” SOMCPress, 2002 Refer your patients (and yourself) to an incredible, free health and fitness site at (When asked who referred you, please type in kendalllstewart.) 1 Please visit to download related white papers and presentations.

How can you contact me? 1 Kendall L. Stewart, M.D. VPMA and Chief Medical Officer Southern Ohio Medical Center President & CEO The SOMC Medical Care Foundation, Inc th Street Waller Building Suite B01 Portsmouth, Ohio All speaking and consultation fees benefit the SOMC Endowment Fund.

 Safety  Quality  Service  Relationships  Performance   Safety  Quality  Service  Relationships  Performance  Are there other questions?