Doctors are trained to save lives, but the relentless demands of the profession can come at a cost to their own health, happiness and relationships with their families.
Dr Brian Vezi is urging medical professionals to recognise their limits, seek help when they need it and make time for themselves rather than becoming consumed by the demands of caring for others.
Vezi said one of the biggest mistakes people made was convincing themselves they did not have enough time for their families or their own well-being.
“We just don't know when to stop, most of us. I think the biggest mistake that most of us do is to instil in our heads that we don't have time for our families, we don't have time for ourselves,” he said.
The pressure to remain available to patients can make it difficult for doctors to step away, even when they are exhausted. However, Vezi said medical professionals needed to understand that they could not carry the responsibility of saving lives alone.
He urged doctors to abandon the idea that they were indispensable and recognise the value of teamwork, including the support of nurses, other doctors and healthcare staff.
“Stop being a prima donna and say if you can't do it, nobody else can do it, right? So you learn as a doctor that you do need help from your nurses, from the athletic stuff, from other doctors. Help is there, seek for it rather than thinking you can do everything,” he said.
For Vezi, recognising when to stop is just as important as recognising when a patient needs medical attention. He said doctors should not allow their sense of duty to convince them that they must work around the clock or shoulder every challenge themselves.
He acknowledged that caring for sick patients was an unavoidable part of the profession, but said doctors needed to accept that they could not save everyone.
“Patients always died before you were a doctor, during your time as a doctor and they'll continue to die even after you are dead,” he said.
His message is a reminder that healthcare professionals are also human beings who need rest, support and time away from their responsibilities.
While dedication to patients remains central to medicine, Vezi said doctors should not neglect their own needs in the process.
“We love our patients, honestly, they also give us income, but you need to love yourself and preserve your life and your health and your happiness first so you can serve,” he said.
IOL