Letters

“One of Us"

I was saddened to read your report of the suicide of Dr. Breen (Spring/Summer 2021 issue). In that piece you note that there is “an expectation that our health care providers be superhuman with no need for rest.” Then you ask, “Why is this part of the job?” The answer is that health care is a dynamic field, always changing. And when you take a job that initially feels doable and satisfying, over time the duties and responsibilities increase and slowly become less satisfying and impossible. This is not something that management perceives, because you are doing more work for the same pay, a stress to you, but a benefit to management which has achieved increased productivity from you for the same wage.

I always tell new physicians to save for the future by setting aside funds to allow them the time to change jobs when this situation requires a career change. You might be advised to anticipate facing this problem at least every 15 years. Or sooner.

– William Reichert’69