Among doctors in Colombia, there is a saying: “He who only knows medicine does not even know medicine.” With this saying, professors emphasize that a good doctor must have knowledge in many disciplines. In modern times, we have more and more specialized physicians, which has benefits; however, significant advances in medicine were also made by doctors skilled in other fields. Dr. Edward Jenner, who discovered the smallpox vaccine, was also a biologist and naturalist. Dr. Virginia Apgar, who invented the Apgar score that pediatricians are familiar with, was a librarian and a teacher. Hippocrates was a physician and a philosopher to whom we owe the Hippocratic Oath.
I can’t count the hours I have spent studying. As I reach graduation, many have asked, “You are officially done, right?” I laugh and explain that I have to study for the board certification in October and every five years after that. Studying for doctors will never end. One of my co-residents advised me to start studying for the boards instead of wasting time writing a blog. I appreciated his concern, and in fact, I started studying. However, I don’t consider writing a blog a waste of time.
It is difficult to ask more from residents who work 80 hours a week, but expanding knowledge and skills beyond medicine has many benefits. Going back to my blog, I see that my writing and English vocabulary have improved since I started. This skill is useful since I must write daily patient progress notes.
You can find an outlet for stress during intense rotations in art, music, and literature. Moreover, knowing who the artist of the moment is can help you start a conversation with a difficult adolescent. Taking time to exercise will help you stay in shape after the pizza and bagels (the diet of a busy resident) and give you the knowledge you need to guide patients who also want to be in shape. Joining a book club or a running group is an opportunity to meet people from other areas and have conversations you would never have with your colleagues. While talking with a software engineer, you may develop an idea for an app or program to make your life easier. While speaking with someone in finance, you learn how to manage money to start a private practice. Not to mention, it will also help you understand other cultures and customs.
I respect people who are only interested in medicine; I would never say they are bad doctors. Yet, I don’t want my co-residents to miss all these benefits. Before I graduate, I want to encourage everyone to take up a new hobby or activity, however far you think it is from medicine. You never know how this can complement your practice and help you build better relationships with your patients.
Dedicated to KV