Why in the World Would Anyone Want to Be a Doctor? A Satirical Exposition of the Terrible Burdens of the Medical Profession 1,2 A Presentation for the Pre-Medical Dinner Kendall L. Stewart, M.D. February 10, People who choose to be miserable are just stupid. 2 Physicians who choose to be miserable are especially stupid.

Why is this important? Incredibly, a lot of physicians are miserable. –Many of us say we would not go into medicine again, –Many of us advise our children not to go into medicine, –In a recent Physicians’ Foundation survey of 12,000 primary care physicians, only 6% considered the morale of their colleagues as “positive.” (November 18, 2008). What in the world is going on? 1 After listening to this presentation, you will be able to –Identify three of the terrible burdens physicians must bear, and –Explain three strategies for achieving happiness and contentment in spite of them. You might as well face reality before you apply to medical school. 1 Actually, miserable doctors inspire me.

What are some of the burdens of being a physician? You will be forced to relieve human suffering when you could be doing something meaningful. You will have to get by on $150, to $1,000, per year. 1,2 You will have to endure the eternal gratitude of your patients and their families. You will have to tolerate an exciting and stimulating work environment. Slide 1 of 3 1 A woman in medical records department once told a millionaire physician she would give him $5.00 if he would complete his charts. (He actually took her money!) 2 Another physician took pop by the case out of the physician lounge refrigerator to his car!

What are some of the burdens of being a physician? You will have to turn down at least 10 job offers every day. You will have to travel to posh resorts to attend medical meetings in exotic places. You will have to suffer the embarrassment of pulling into a reserved parking space every day. 1,2,3 You will have to put up with numerous colleagues who are intent on making your professional life easier. Slide 2 of 3 1 I don’t know what it is with physicians and their parking spaces. 2 Not infrequently, we see able-bodied physicians parking for their convenience in handicap parking spaces. 3 Just so you know, we call the police when we observe that outrageous behavior.

What are some of the burdens of being a physician? You will have to cope with being a part of the highest-regarded occupation in America. You will be required to wear nice clothes, drive fine cars and live in a nice house in the best neighborhood in town. You will have to live with the unspeakable joy of lifelong learning. You will have to make the best of clean, comfortable and sometimes gorgeous work environments. You will have to face the reality that you can continue to work as long as you are mentally and physically able, and that you may actually be able to afford to retire when you want to quit. 1,2 Slide 3 of 3 1 Some people simply cannot be pleased. 2 A farmer was unhappy with the way his wife prepared the eggs.

So, how can you have a happy life in spite of these awful burdens? Cultivate a servant heart. 1,2 Remain passionate about excellence. Build and nurture a team. Avoid negative people. Spend time with positive people. Resist materialism. Abandon arrogance as a coping strategy. Choke off that sense of entitlement. Write a values-based life plan. Find meaning in your work. Keep improving your efficiency. Measure your results. Create variety in your professional practice. 1 Helping people is really what it’s all about. 2 I told a patient she had terminal cancer. 3 ”Given the cards I’ve been dealt, I’ve played them as best I could.”

What have you learned? It is hard for some of us to imagine a more satisfying and meaningful life. Some of us feel deeply privileged to be a physician. 1,2 Sadly, many of us are miserable. To be miserable or not to be— that’s entirely up to you. This is a critical career decision. Life is too short to be miserable. 1 I once had the opportunity to serve an extremely poor, disabled man who insisted on “paying” me in baseball cards. 2 When something like this happens to you, you will then know the joy and privilege of being a physician.

Where can you learn more? 1 Edwards, Nigel, Kornacki, Mary Jane and Silversin, Jack: Unhappy Doctors: What Are the Causes and What Can Be Done? BMJ 2002, 324: ( 6 April ) Mechanic, D: Physician Discontent. JAMA :941-6 Smith, R: Why are Doctors So Unhappy?” BMJ, 2001, 322: Zuget A: Dissatisfaction with Medical Practice. N Engl J Med 2004, 350:69-75 The Physicians’ Foundation: National Survey Finds Numerous Problems Facing Primary Care Doctors, Predicts Escalating Shortage Ahead, November 18, 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 are contributed to the SOMC Endowment Fund.

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