Special Status

Physicians often fall into the trap of developing a false sense of self-importance.  There are lots of aspects of practicing medicine that contribute to the development of this state of mind.  For example, when I'm called in for an emergency, everything and everyone around me is instantly put on the back burner until that emergency is resolved.  Everyone has to wait until I'm finished.

People call me "doctor" and for the most part give me a certain level of respect not always afforded to others.  Patients arrange their own schedules around their doctors appointments rather than vice versa. 

As a result of all of these factors, many of us develop a sense of having "special status."  We sometimes even come to believe that we care more about our patients than anyone else.

Once I've internalized the belief that I have special status I am more likely to discount the contributions made by others.

I had a physician client who asked me to help him with some morale problems he was having with the office staff.  I had the staff fill out a survey, then I interviewed each staff member about what it was like to work in the office for this physician. I was impressed with the sincerity and competence of the staff, their dedication and loyalty.

Each of them told me that their boss was a wonderful doctor, but that he was not very approachable and he seemed kind of cold to them.  They did not feel appreciated. 

When I reported back to the physician on his staff's perception of him, he was surprised.  He said, "Giving excellent patient care is so important to me that I focus so intently on taking care of my patients I just don't have time to pay that much attention to my staff."

I asked him if he thought they did a good job and he said that he did. Then I pointed out to him that each member of his staff was just as focused on providing the very best patient care as he was and in their various roles, they each gave outstanding patient care.  Each of his staff members was a critical part of the team in his office - an office which had a reputation in the community for giving excellent patient care.

He stopped for a moment then admitted that he had never really thought of his staff in that way.  Some time later I checked back in with the staff and learned that the physician had become much more open with them, making a point of thanking them for their work, complimenting them and taking more interest in them.  Morale was up and things were much better.

Albert Einstein once said, "A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the measure as I have received and am still receiving."

I think this quote is a good reminder that even though I AM a doctor, so what?  I'm no better or worse than anyone else.  I have no special status in the world.  To the degree that I remember to be grateful for all the things others have done and are doing for me - from inventing electricity to answering my phone and keeping my schedule straight, I am more open and approachable - more human - for in fact, that's all that any of us are.

Comments

[ErinB]

Hi there. I'm a physician in an administrative position in public health. I appreciate your perspective on physicians as leaders and will be back. Thanks for sharing your expertise.