physician's plea poem phoebe chiAll Poetry

A Physician’s Plea

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A medical student. A simple question.

“How am I supposed to go on caring?”

At the time, suggestions abound.
Work-life balance. Self-care. Hobbies.
Remembering our initial calling.
Remembering we still make a difference.
Remembering our love for medicine
and the privilege we have as caregivers.

But then the realization-
I don’t know the answer.

I only know that I have witnessed around me-
at every stage of training and practice-
evidence of emotional exhaustion.
Dissatisfaction.
Disillusionment.

Burnout.

So this is my plea…

A plea-
to students,
to colleagues,
to practitioners,
but–even more–
to myself.
A plea as we 
embark further into
the world of medicine.

A plea-
never to lose the satisfaction
we experience in caring for others–
the thrill savored
when we supported our first patient,
the warmth felt when families embraced us,
entrusting us with their care,
their health,
their lives.

A plea–
to preserve our love,
our burden,
our heart–
for mankind.

That despite challenges faced,
we refuse to lose what we have gained.
That despite the obstacles
in an ever-changing environment–
despite the self-doubt, criticism, personal struggles–
despite the constant immersion into death and suffering
and the consequent self-preservatory layers
of emotional shield–

Despite everything.

That we would continue
to feel,
to love,
to enjoy–
Medicine.
Our patients.
Our calling.
Life.

Because this is my hope for the future.

That we would never lose the simple joy of helping others

◊

Phoebe Chi, MD
Phoebe Chi, MD

As a physician educator and the managing editor of Health + Inspiration, Dr. Chi aims to inform, empower, and inspire the reader community. She is the author of Being Empowered for a Healthy Heart: A personal guide to taking control of your health while living with chronic conditions, a poetry-infused health guide, and founder of Pendants for a Cause, a nonprofit organization with the purpose of raising funds to fight illness, provide care, and bring awareness to medically vulnerable populations around the world.

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Categories: All Poetry, Medical Poetry, Spoken Word Videos

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75 replies »

  1. Beautifully shared. I see the compassion in your words and voice. Thank you for being such a caring person. You are gifted and called to make a difference. Each of us has a certain responsibility to do his or her part as well. May God continue to bless your ongoing efforts. 🙂

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  2. Find the part of medicine that makes you passionate… where you care most…
    Then you know – the day you cease to care is the day you should do something else………… remember that. It WILL serve you well.

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  4. Medicine is a difficult and emotional field. I have had nineteen surgeries since 2009 and am a total care patient. I have nurses and aids come to my home as well. I have conversations with much medical staff including my doctors (we have become very close over the last ten years). As you know, I have several specialists. We often speak about how hard it is not to get jaded or insensitive to a patient’s needs. But, many patients can be difficult to treat and also have bad attitudes. I am thankful for this post. It’s like a prayer. You have covered each aspect entirely. I pray for my caregivers often. I am most fortunate to have a team of excellent doctors and home care staff. God bless your servant’s heart. <3

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