224 Being a Doctor After Being a Patient
Diversification of practices countered work stresses. Neil, the neurol-
ogist, broadened his patient pool, ‘‘doing a headache clinic to diversify,
do something easier, and see immediate results.’’
Other physicians adopted more fixed, regular hours. Mark, interviewed
in a diner, said, ‘‘I chose a job that was not overly demanding: 9:00 to
4:30, five days a week. No call.’’
Yet such changes and reprioritizations were not always easy to achieve
and maintain. Jacob appreciated life more, and was more relaxed, and less
bored by his family, but still had limited interests outside of his work.
I focus a little bit more on the family and kids. I was pretty
bored by the stuff the family did. . . . But now, if the family is doing
anything together, I want to do it. I take an interest in what the
kids do.
Deriving Strength from Patients
In struggling to cope, these physicians also compared themselves to, and
learned from, their patients. Clinical experience provided doctors with
helpful models in confronting disease and death. These ill doctors had
observed lay patients finding hope and sources of meaning, even in the
face of adversity.
Seeing patients worse off than oneself can make one grateful for one’s
own relative health. When seeing such patients, Roxanne, for instance,
appreciated her health status more. ‘‘I started to become grateful for
whatever I have. I was dealt a pretty good set of cards—treatment is
available, and if the disease comes back, I could get the treatment again.’’
Indeed, she had flown to the West Coast for an experimental trial. Many
patients she saw had fewer advantages. These ill physicians sometimes
found that their own difficulties were put into perspective by patients’
problems.
Patients’ courage and fortitude could inspire these doctors. Many ob-
served patients, even children, endure in the face of larger challenges. As
a result of treating others, Jeff, the adolescent specialist, now found the
will to go on. ‘‘I’ve seen little kids deal with this stuff, and it gives me
more strength.’’
These doctors often came to appreciate that in comparison, they had
at least heretofore enjoyed extended good health. Many thought of pa-
tients who had more to endure. Nancy, with metastatic cancer, said: