I am tired. It has all been building up I guess. I have been experiencing chronic fatigue of late. And I am not surprised. I take up extra work during my free time. And work over weekends. Someone said 'I will sleep when I'm dead.' Whoever he was, it sounds like that's what my body believes. Its a train wreck.
Sometimes you forget that your doctor is human too. Sadly, many doctors often forget this too. All the advice and counsel they give their patients, they feel, doesn't apply to them. How many times have you heard of alcoholic doctors or doctors who cannot kick the habit of smoking? Even though they know all the harms and can name in alphabetical order every disease they could get. I know not making time to rest is detrimental to my health, and yet sometimes feel powerless to stop the bad habits.
In hospitals, it has been proven that doctors are the most likely of health workers NOT to wash their hands. Not only does this increase spread of infections between patients, it also increases the risk of sick doctors passing on their infection to the patient. It's actually embarrassing!
It is difficult for doctors to admit when they need help because they are so used to helping others. Sometimes the heavy work-load and long hours can really add up and cause burn-out. This is dangerous because a sick doctor could cause more harm than good.
The following are the most common types of sicknesses amongst doctors.
I hope my colleagues (and myself) take these facts seriously and look after themselves better.
Sometimes you forget that your doctor is human too. Sadly, many doctors often forget this too. All the advice and counsel they give their patients, they feel, doesn't apply to them. How many times have you heard of alcoholic doctors or doctors who cannot kick the habit of smoking? Even though they know all the harms and can name in alphabetical order every disease they could get. I know not making time to rest is detrimental to my health, and yet sometimes feel powerless to stop the bad habits.
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| Sick doctors find it hard to admit they are sick |
In hospitals, it has been proven that doctors are the most likely of health workers NOT to wash their hands. Not only does this increase spread of infections between patients, it also increases the risk of sick doctors passing on their infection to the patient. It's actually embarrassing!
It is difficult for doctors to admit when they need help because they are so used to helping others. Sometimes the heavy work-load and long hours can really add up and cause burn-out. This is dangerous because a sick doctor could cause more harm than good.
The following are the most common types of sicknesses amongst doctors.
Stress related illness
Depression
Anxiety
Alcohol misuse
Drug misuse
- Doctors have a higher suicide rate than the general population and significantly higher than other professions, such as lawyers.
- 15-20% UK doctors show significant stress (Lancet 2002)
- 58% report personal or family life suffered because they chose medicine as a career and almost 50% of doctors in advanced stages of burnout (Canadian study)
I hope my colleagues (and myself) take these facts seriously and look after themselves better.
been there, done that, got the t-shirt........and not funny at all!
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