Dear lawmakers: This is what it’s like to be a doctor today
This is a really good article, please read it! It’s a letter from Matthew Moeller a gastroenterologist. This article originally appeared onCaduceusBlog.
I am writing this letter because I feel that our leaders and lawmakers do not have an accurate picture of what it actually entails to become a physician today; specifically, the financial, intellectual, social, mental, and physical demands of the profession.
You may ask why do we do all of this? It’s because we have pride in what we do. We truly care for the well-being of the human race. We have been conditioned to think, act, talk, and work as a very efficient machine, able to handle emotions, different cultures, different ranges of intellect, all to promote the health of America. We are doctors.
My true wish is to illustrate the sacrifices doctors do make because I feel we are not represented when laws are made.
You may ask how I had the time to write this letter? As I’m sure many of you do, I made time. It is now 3:00 am on my only day off this month. I considered this a priority. I hope you feel the same. I just finished my 87 hour week. Time for a short rest.