Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Loving what you don't like

It's inevitable. Experiences in medical education, or in life for that matter, that you file away in "I'm sure I don't like that". And then you set about a way to avoid it, to the best extent possible. But still staying politically correct, snuggling to the correct person, and stating the most obvious sarcasm you can muster... "I love this [thing you really hate]!" Although hate is a strong word, certainly something you will try to avoid. It just feels wrong.

But somewhere in the political correctness, the lies about what you say you like but don't, is a spiritual nirvana and real message in the "hate". We learn what we don't like but still take away a greater knowledge, experience and appreciation for that thing or experience.

And so is the life of an intern. Moving through the motions of learning so you can be a working physician, figuring out what you like and what you don't like, but still learning...always. Every skill, every nuance, every opinion, every fact; Adding to the knowledge base that is your toolbox for the future practice of medicine and patient care. Always with the knowledge that there isn't anything that they can do to me in one rotation that I can't get over. But a positive lesson on something, even if it's negative, every single day.

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There is no way possible to fix the current medical system quickly and easily as long as it's core is made up of professionals that believe that the old way is the only way. Sadly it's those old ways that have brought us to this broken, unenviable place in U.S. medicine.