Appreciation days were originally meant for the frequently under appreciated jobs: moms, dads, teachers, nurses, secretaries. These groups of people have very important jobs, work hard at what they do, do not get paid much, if anything at all, and do it for the sake of their children, patients, bosses, society.
These days, everyone has a freakin' appreciation day: presidents, CEOs, lawyers, physicians. A conspiracy by Hallmark, no doubt. Although I can't speak for the others, I am of the opinion that there are certain groups that don't really need appreciation. Yes, yes, I know . . . everyone needs to be appreciated, but you know what I mean. Isn't it silly to have cake and ice cream at the next board meeting and a sign that says, "Thanks for everything you do, Mr. Trump"?
Physicians may be a little different. Many of us wrote in our applications/personal statements to medical school that we wanted to be doctors "to help people." While this is certainly true, we also chose it for the prestige, job security, and pay. Okay, maybe not everyone, but these are the reasons why I went into medicine. Admission into medical school was a privilege. Taking care of patients is a privilege. So we invest a lot of time, energy, and money to earn the privilege of taking care of patients, having them trust us with the health, their lives. We try to prevent, but often take risks, all in the name of health, and "doing no harm." And while it all sounds philanthropic, physicians make sure to obtain returns on their risks and investments: the bill. I am not saying that it is the bottom line, but no one can deny its existence. Since I am still in training (I don't get paid for the services I perform; I just get a stipend for being an indentured servant), I can honestly say that during my everyday interactions with my patients, I do not think about the money. Nor do I think my attendings, whether in Anesthesiology or otherwise, think about the money. First and foremost is, "What is best for the patient?" But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, after the risks have been taken and the benefits reaped, there is the satisfaction and the monetary compensation of having performed a specialized service. No thanks is needed; oftentimes, we don't get it.
Nonetheless, it was nice to receive this card on Physician Appreciation Day:
Dear Dr. (me),
Thank you so much for your care during our hospital stay. You administered my epidural during the birth of our daughter (baby's name) . You were tender, skillful, and unoffended by our original request for "no residents." Thanks for teaching me about open-mindedness, and reminding me we all had clinical/ residencies.
Thank you.
(Hospital employee and family names)
Thank you so much for your care during our hospital stay. You administered my epidural during the birth of our daughter (baby's name) . You were tender, skillful, and unoffended by our original request for "no residents." Thanks for teaching me about open-mindedness, and reminding me we all had clinical/ residencies.
Thank you.
(Hospital employee and family names)
