Song Lyrics As Family Advice for Medical Students, Interns, and Residents
I was going to use today’s post to provide links for useful gifts for medical students, interns, and residents. Instead there’s a far more important gift that I’ll explore here…
You see, I have 5 kids – 4 girls and a boy. A few minutes ago my wife forwarded me a link to this YouTube video. I’ve heard this song a thousand times… but it’s like I was hearing it for the first time.
Why am I posting this here? Why now?
Well, many of you are on rotations right now where you might be reluctant to ask for time to spend with your family at this time of year. I’m putting this here as a reminder… 20 years from now your chief resident won’t matter… 20 years from now the attending on the rotation you’re on right now will be an afterthought.
Now, of course, you do have responsibilities to your patients, so fulfill them. But it doesn’t hurt to ask or to suggest a different schedule to afford your family some important time with you.
It’s going to happen from time to time, that you miss important family events, sure. That goes with the territory. But there’s a difference between missing something and neglecting someone.
The key is balance.
And too many of us in the health professions are missing it. Don’t be one of them.
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January 28th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
This song has been a theme song of mine for years since my dad was a workaholic and never was home. When he was home he was working in his workshop or one of our cars, lawnmowers….anything. I’m now having to deal with him as he deals with dementia and slowly is losing his mind. He has alienated all of him friends and his children but me. This song will always remind me of my father and why I never want to be him.
Be well and do good work,
Jason