Being a primary care doctor is an utter privilege. Think of this post as part proclamation and part journal entry.
Yesterday afternoon I sent out this tweet:
It was a spontaneous tweet in the middle of my 15 minute “lunch break” when I realized I still had hours to go in my clinical day. The motive was incredulity, not remorse or a need for pity. I was in a good spot–my frame of mind and perspective sharpened twice this week.
First, I’d had a discussion with clinic leaders where we noodled around the upcoming fall where I will be traveling heavily and unfortunately away from clinic. We were discussing how to meet the needs of my patients while simultaneously meeting my need to contribute nationally. I reminded them how I’m unwavering in my adoration for my panel of patients and my commitment to caring for them. They nodded. You see, they know…..
Yet, so often people outside of clinical care and those who have never had the fortune to be a primary care doctor question why I still have a practice and panel of patients. They suggest that with the other work I do in health care, I should commit more time to those goals and less to my practice. Once, someone said to me that pediatricians were a dime a dozen and I needed to spend more time speaking and less time doctoring.
The thing is this: I went to medical school to learn how to counsel and take care of patients. I spent those longs nights of residency hopeful I would acquire the skills to know the science and the variance of normal well enough that I could do what I needed to help support and guide nervous families. And I really like practicing medicine. It’s a privilege to help. And as I’ve said before, I get so much more than I give while in clinic.
The second was a reminder from a stay-at-home parent about getting to stay at home with their child. In the mommy wars, this is one of the most bizarre conversations I have in my workplace; I suspect this is somewhat unique to pediatricians because we lend parenting advice all day long. Occasionally, moms and dads who have decided to stay at home to care for their child full-time will prosthelytize the benefits of their decision and their ability to care for their children. Often they’ll explain this in contrast to those moms and dads who juggle both work and family. There is sometimes a sense of superiority. At first, I used to startle in the face of those comments defining the inability to “do it all” and properly care for children while also maintaining a job or career. Now, as my feet get more f
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Linda Pourmassina, MD says
I agree wholeheartedly with your post.
Those – like you – who have that extra ability to communicate and to improve healthcare on a broader level in addition to the personal face-to-face clinical level SHOULD do both, I think. It may be challenging. It may be juggling. But, ultimately, it makes a difference. You should not hold back from society all the good you have to offer it if it’s in your heart to do so.
Becca Ross says
We’re so glad you are there for us!!!
Becca
Jen Todd, MD says
Funny about the timing of this post… I am a former primary-care pediatrician who just finished her first week of subspecialty fellowship, and I was just proclaiming to anyone who would listen how happy I am to be in fellowship!
I do understand your passion for clinical care- I agree too that it is a pleasure and a privilege to take care of patients, and for me as well that is also something I will always want to be part of my career. In fact, my proclamation of my love of fellowship came after my first day of seeing patients in clinic, evaluating patients that I hope will become “mine” over the next 3 years.
I would argue that continuing clinical work is not only valuable because it brings you enjoyment, but also because it informs the other work that you are doing. It is easy to talk in broad terms about safety, prevention, obesity, and other such topics but there is also an understanding that comes after talking with patients about their day-to-day lives, their own stresses and pleasures, that you cannot get by simply doing surveys or even focus groups.
Keep up the good work, and follow your heart.
Katie says
I hope my tweet back wasn’t misinterpreted! I just know you miss your sweet boys on long clinic days, thus my response.
In any case, I am SO glad that you feel so confident and at peace about the choices you are making for your children, your family, and yourself! From your posts here, I know you sometimes wrestle with your decisions, and I can tell you, so do the SAHM/Ds! I think everyone wonders about the path not taken, but as long as YOU are happy and confident in your decision, you will model the best of yourself to your children!
For selfish reasons, I am glad that you continue to practice. But unselfishly, I also think that your interaction with patients keeps your persective fresh and keeps you abreast of the challenges of what your patients (and their families) are facing. It makes you more effective on a national level. When I worked in sales, there was nothing more frustrating than a top-level executive handing down orders who hadn’t been in the field for a decade or longer. Their recommendations were often out-of-date and out-of-touch. The best executives were those that made sure to interact with the field as often as possible. Their recommendations and plan of actions were usually the most effective. I would imagine the same is true in this case as well. You can make relevent, real-world recommendations, based not only on your vast knowledge, but also your intimate experiences on the “front-lines”.
We are so blessed that you share so much of yourself here and in clinic! Good luck with your travels this fall – we will miss you while you are gone, but it sounds like you’ll be doing a lot of good while you are away!
Colleen says
As someone who searched around a bit, I can tell you a good pediatrician that you like and are comfortable with is NOT a dime a dozen!!! We are so happy that you still have clinic hours and can come see you! 🙂 Thank you!!!
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD says
Thanks for all these comments. After a morning spent discussing priorities and opportunities, I sincerely appreciate the support.