What is My Value as a Doctor?

Timothy P. Daaleman

doi:10.1370/afm.2592

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RE: What is my value as a doctor?
Larry A. Green

Published on: 31 December 2020
Excellent article; now a question:
Pedram Mizani

Published on: 14 November 2020
RE: Thank you for your Reflection
Wendy Biggs

Published on: 10 November 2020

Published on: (31 December 2020)

RE: What is my value as a doctor?
Larry A. Green, Family Physician, University of Colorado School of Mediine
What a compelling explanation of doctoring and distinguishing it from other "things." My post-practice life is punctuated regularly with requests from friends, families, and former patients that I can now see as a request to direct them to a physician who will "stand in the breach" that they or someone they love is experiencing.

Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (14 November 2020)

Excellent article; now a question:
Pedram Mizani, Family Physician and Mentor, ACMedical.org
Thank you for this Dr. Daaleman. The topic you selected is more relevant now more than ever, as all residency programs attempt to grapple with the pandemic. Yet when I ask my PD friends, none want to admit that they’re overwhelmed during the 2021 Match, yet all are looking for what “VALUE” the applicant will bring during times of COVID. Ironically yet sadly, I’ve seen too many residents be put on the front lines of COVID pandemic with minimal leadership, being faced with having to identify their own resilience.

What will you tell brand new medical students to prepare them for the practice of medicine in the para- and post-COVID era, and how can we help them identify their own values which they can bring to residency in the 2021 Match?

Thanks - Pedram

Pedram Mizani, MD, MHSA
Disclosure: Chief Clinical Officer | acmedical.org

Competing Interests: None declared.
Published on: (10 November 2020)

RE: Thank you for your Reflection
Wendy Biggs, Family Physician and Educator, Central Michigan University Family Medicine Residency
Dr Daaleman,
Thank you for verbalizing for me the inner conflict I have been feeling. Now I have a term for what I find most valuable in family medicine - "standing in the breach" with the patient. I appreciate your clear description of the gratitude exercise. As I (and others) struggle to avoid/prevent burnout, your clear instructions on your review of your day with gratitude (and trying to avoid focusing so much on your "quality" data) sets a clear path forward. In addition, we must continue to strive for "quality measures" that will reflect the quality of our "standing with the patient" and advocating for their care.

Competing Interests: None declared.