October 28, 2011

crazy

General advice from the clinical instructor (an internal medicine doc) of my last group.

     "Anyone entering oncology needs to have a psychotherapist.  No, I'm serious.  Even though you may be normal, the clinical world in which you inhabit is not.  Take care of yourself."

2 comments:

Steve Parker, M.D. said...

I disagree with the internist. Have no idea what he's talking about. Sure, oncology patients have a relatively high death rate, but you see that in family practice, internal medicine, geriatrics, general/chest/vascular surgery, and some other specialties.

Isaac said...

Protection against burnout is starting to become a big issue in med school, at least mine. In addition to being caring and empathetic to the patient, they're also starting to train the physician to use the same skills on themselves.