Richard Soper, MD: Is Medicine Worth It?

After practicing medicine for decades, I, Richard Soper, MD, have heard so many physicians say that medicine robbed them of the years of their youth. Often, their statements are accompanied by a long sigh, a stare off into the distance, or a slow sip of coffee. I often feel similar to those physicians during the first few years of my journey. I often find myself wondering if medicine is worth it; if it is leading me to the best version of myself.

During my training, I, Richard Soper, MD, have missed so much: from missing lunch to missing being home for the holidays. However, focusing on these misses can negatively affect both your overall well-being and your satisfaction with or life. As a resident, the hardest pill to swallow is the fact that medicine always draws you away from places you want to be at and people you want to be with. Residents wake up to the idea of wellness. Having enough sleep, exercise, and a nurturing community is the perfect foundation. However, efforts exerted to improve life outside of medicine will only fall short at achieving overall wellness if doctors do not feel good about the work.

Training in medicine and practicing medicine after means spending long hour-shifts with some uncertainty about the future. This uncertainty usually makes physicians feel anxious and sleep-deprived more than usual, or worse, it might make them feel that their work is meaningless. Remember that the small things taken for granted can usually be the reason for you to find your center again. Ask yourself: "How can you find work as an enjoyable part of your life than something entirely separate from who you are?” Take note that there is no single answer to this question; it is entirely subjective, and it can change as you spend more time practicing medicine. You can find wellness at work by having connections with your patients, or by seeking comfort from your support group, or by simply learning to love what you do.