Healthcare News and Trends
National Doctors’ Day 2022
March 28, 2022
A pledge of
thanks and support for dedicated physicians
Across
the United States, March 30 marks National Doctors’ Day, a day to express
thanks, celebrate physicians and recognize their sacrifice. It is exceptionally
meaningful this year to recognize these dedicated clinicians as they continue
to serve on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
National
Doctors’ Day also presents an opportunity for physicians to take a step back
and look at their lives and careers.
“It’s
a time for physicians to be mindful of that for which they are grateful, and
it’s still a privilege to practice medicine,” said Greg Hammer, MD, a professor
at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California, and author
of GAIN Without Pain: The Happiness
Handbook for Health Care Professionals. GAIN stands for gratitude,
acceptance, intention and nonjudgment and is a way of practicing mindfulness.
Physicians taking charge of their lives
“Often
physicians get caught up in the negative aspects and not feeling professionally
fulfilled,” Hammer said. “But in fact, it is a privilege taking care of
patients, and we should be grateful for the opportunity. We also should be
grateful to the institution for providing a culture and practice infrastructure
in which we can work.”
Acceptance
is the second component of GAIN. Hammer encourages fellow physicians to accept
that they are not perfect and can on occasion make mistakes.
“We
also need to accept the end game and the limitations in delivery of
healthcare,” Hammer said. “Some of it can be changed and some cannot. There are
healthcare inequities. We can work to include those, but most of us do not have
much influence.”
With
intention, the third factor, Hammer said, physicians “can change the way we
think and become more grateful. We can beat ourselves up less and be more
mindful and present.”
That’s
not the normal way physicians’ brains work, he explained, so it requires
intention and rewiring doctor’s minds so they are more grateful, positive and
present.
The
last component is nonjudgment. Hammer recommended focusing one’s energy and not
judging oneself.
“We
are much more harsh on ourselves than we are with a friend or others,” Hammer
said.
A personal ‘Thank you’ on National Doctors’
Day
What
is the best way to say “Happy National Doctors’ Day”? The staff at Merritt Hawkins, a company of AMN Healthcare, offers the
following video message to all physicians, especially those whom we have had
the privilege of helping in their career journey.
Across
the country, health systems and other employers are also recognizing their
physicians on Doctors’ Day. NYU Langone in New York is asking
patients to tell them about a special physician, and Touro LCMC Health in New Orleans is
encouraging patients to write messages to their physicians.
Mohawk
Valley Health System in Utica, New York, is asking patients to share
their stories, write their physicians a thank you note and share their
experiences on social media.
Other ideas for recognition
include handing out awards; celebrating on Zoom; giving appreciation cards;
offering tokens of appreciation, flowers or food baskets; or providing on-site
massages or a day off.
How organizations can support their
physicians
Hammer
suggests several things institutions and leadership can do to support physician
wellness and resilience, including promoting a culture of wellness, and
practicing equitable hiring and promotions.
He
also noted the importance of efficiency of practices, making sure there are
enough staff members so surgical cases flow smoothly, and ensuring there are
sufficient supplies, materials and other infrastructure.
“The
institution leadership has the responsibility to promote a culture of wellness
and also [provide] the right infrastructure so a practice can be applied
efficiently,” Hammer said.
Merritt Hawkins is the nation’s
leading placement firm for physicians and advanced practitioners. Read more about our physician staffing services for organizations, or
our candidate services for
physicians
seeking new practice opportunities.
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