Finding Hope in the Future of Medicine
“…listen for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will, all of your life, spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” —Howard Thurman
I was precepting a group of medical students recently who were volunteering their time to perform health screenings at a non-profit shelter for unhoused men. One of the benefits of participating in these volunteer events is talking with young students about their experiences thus far in med school and what their hopes are for their futures.
I am amazed at the life experience that today’s medical students have compared to me and my classmates in the early 1980’s. Many of them have lived in other countries, studied and worked in fields outside of medicine, and achieved remarkable success before ever entering med school.
Eventually, the question came up that always finds its way into these conversations.
“Do you have any advice for us?”
This question is getting harder and harder for me to answer. After surviving the COVID pandemic and coaching so many practicing physicians who suffer from burnout and disillusionment, my first reaction is to say,
“Get out before it’s too late!”
But then I listen to how enthusiastic they are about having an impact in people’s lives on an individual and population level. I remember my own enthusiasm for becoming a doctor and start gaining hope that the future of healthcare might be transformed by their participation.
So, I ponder the question from the perspective of this renewed sense of hope and I tell them the following:
Try to develop reflective practices now to get to know your true self and your “why” for becoming a doctor, independent of everything the outside world is telling you.
Once you discover that true self and your “why”, continue to use those reflective practices to remind yourself in the future.
Find a coach, therapist, or spiritual guide who can accompany you through the most challenging years of your life which you are about to face.
Cultivate interests and relationships outside of medicine and develop the boundaries which will help you maintain them.
As I impart these pearls of wisdom, I am amazed at how many of them already realize many of these things. They already have a variety of interests outside of medicine. They aren’t afraid of seeking help when they feel stressed or need support. Many of them have daily mindfulness practices and some already keep a journal, reflecting on their experiences.
We finish up our work and pack up all the supplies to head home. They all thank me for my help and the rich conversation. I tell them how impressed I am with their maturity and insight and wish them all the best in the coming years. On my way home, I reflect on my renewed hope in the future of medicine as these young students become the leaders of tomorrow.
Be kind to yourself.
-Dr. Joe