I’ve always felt strongly that unhappy people at work are unhappy people overall. This is especially true when dealing with medical specialties that essentially take up your entire life. Here are four reasons why I think surgeons are pissed off.
1. They Hear It From Significant Others
Have you ever had a bad habit that you’d like to break? Doesn’t it make you angry when others ask you about it (CAGE anyone?)? I think the same principles apply here. Surgeons, or just people in general who work all of the time have no family time. Their husbands or wives eventually get sick of it.
A perfect example is the Chief of Surgery on Gray’s Anatomy. He wants to retire, and then does so to go back to his wife. But, it’s too late. His wife has been sick of his life for too long, and there’s another man in the house.
The bitching and complaining from significant others are the early stages of what could end in disaster. Heed the warnings, and don’t end up like Dr. Webber.
2. They Have No Personal Time
Everybody needs time to themselves. Whether it be for simply relaxing or engaging in a hobby, this is a must for keeping yourself sane. Go years without any “me” time, and you can probably understand why some people are so bitter.
Make it a point to go out one day per week and do something that you really love. It will take some of the stress away.
3. They Miss Important Family Events
I’m not talking about the weekend barbecue or the missed family reunions. I’m talking about real stuff that you’re supposed to be around for.
While on my vascular surgery rotation, I overheard a phone call from my attending on rounds. He was on the phone with his wife, who was pregnant with their first child. She had an appointment for an ultrasound, and he was supposed to be there. Obviously, he wasn’t there as rounds were still taking place.
Later he joked to his colleagues that it was “just an ultrasound” and that “she’ll get over it.”
Deep down I think he wanted to be there, and because of his job he couldn’t. That’s enough to piss anybody off, I think.
4. They Make Good Money, But Can’t Spend It
Surgeons get paid well. Very well. It’s unfortunate that they pretty much hand over their paychecks. I think direct deposit was invented to cater to surgeons, who very rarely have time to actually go to the bank.
Wouldn’t it be nice to take some of that money and enjoy it sometime? Go on a 2 week family vacation, or buy a modest boat and take the family to the lake once in a blue moon? They’d love to do it, but simply can’t.
All Work And No Play
Not only do they have to deal with their own personal feelings, but a surgeon’s lifestyle has a significant impact on people in their lives that really matter.
In order to cope, they take out their feelings on residents, students, and hospital staff. I understand that they have to deal with things, but there are better ways to go about accomplishing that goal.
lol loved the direct deposit line…
Hoover-
I discovered your blog after seeing it linked in another medical school blog and I must admit, I spent the entire night reading the archives. I just graduated undergrad and had been intending to take the MCAT and apply to medical school even though I had nagging doubts in the back of my head for the past year or so. Your blog, as well as a few others, and other factors have really caused me to pause and reeavaluate my situation. I admire your courage in following the path that you feel is best for you. My dad has always wanted me to be a doctor and when I admitted that I was having serious doubts about going to medical school, he said that I was quitting when I had already made it so far (though I realize there would be so much more to come if I do decide to go!). I want to thank you so much for providing a blog that is so honest and informative.
Aviva – I’m glad to hear you’re stepping back and re-evaluating your situation. One of the worst mistakes you can make is to go to medical school when it’s not you that really wants to.
Sit down and talk with your father, and let him know exactly how you feel about it. Remember, it will be you going through school, residency, and beyond and not him. It’s most important that you’re happy with your decision. Others who may want you to attend medical school and become a doctor don’t have to live with being unhappy every single day of their life.
I bet you the same guy who missed his wifes ultrasound also missed the conception.
Couldn’t these surgeons just work fewer days a week? Or take very long vacations?
Andy, they could but it’s been hammered into their heads that this is bad practice. Plus, they’ve most likely gotten used to a set income level and have a certain amount of bills to pay every month. Working fewer hours after you get used to a particular lifestyle is often not doable.
You’ve talked me out of medical school and I cringe at how I debated with my doctors every time I had a baby and every test they wanted to do on me and considered my options with every delivery method. (You have left out in your rants about OB/Gyn that the methods and philosophies with the AMA on OB care change every five years or so. That alone is a reason to avoid OB care.) Your blog has given me a deep appreciation for what doctors do to become doctors and the pressure we put upon them to be gods once they are out on their own. Still, a patient needs to stay on top of everything and make informed decisions and if one is in the hospital, a patient needs a personal advocate so that the patient doesn’t get lost in the maze. How does one be an educated patient who makes informed decisions without seeming to be grilling the doctors over every decision?
Anon, I’d say just read some of the more respected patient information sites like WebMD and then bring up any concerns or questions that you may have with your doc.
Unless they are total assholes, they shouldn’t be offended by your questioning or concerns. Even as a medical student, it was apparent at how much more patients were educated given the easy access to health information via the web. I think the docs have gotten pretty used to it by now.
hoover
you know not all of the surgery subspecialties are like that. it definitely describes the general surgeon and some of the gen surg subspecialties.
you know us fun loving orthopods love a good round of golf and giving our residents wedgies. (smiley face)
you know every time i am in the OR, i walk by the general surgery service and just give them a little of the “business”. i tell the interns, “come to the darkside”. i have told them multiple time that i can help if they want. i can put a pedicle in the colon to plug up that damn pesky appendix. we are very good a taking out hardware; so if the need the rod taken out their @sshole, we will be happy to oblige.
ya.. surgeons life is pissed off.. if everyone knows that they are pissed off, may be they will think how not to get pissed off…
There are 5 reasons there, five.
Danshil, nope. There are four. “All Work and No Play” isn’t considered a reason (although it could be), but is rather the ending to the article.
Jesus Hoover,
Honestly, trying to convince people to notice who they are and not go into medicine if its not truly what they want is fine, I really agree.
However, don’t generalize about and entire industry. I bet you about 50% of people in the workforce can be considered “happy with what they are doing”. If around 60% of doctors are considered that, isn’t that above average? Just asking.
From the perspective of someone inside the belly of the hospital beast, at least on the surgical side, everyone is un-happy (residents and attendings). Most people are in denial and would claim to be happy if asked. In reality, most:
1) Have relative happiness (i.e. they are less miserable than the poor sap standing next to them). This also leads to the emergence of bully-victim paradigms in otherwise good people.
2) Mistake comradarie, grim smiles and concentration camp jokes for actual happiness (try to get them to use the word “joy”).
3) Are in so deep and have sacrificed so much (med school, residency, life as a junior attending, abandoning friends, scuttling marriages, hobbies, etc.) that they convince themselves they are happy because to admit otherwise threatens one’s sanity. They don’t even remember what it was they liked to do before the hospital sucked the marrow out of them, and when faced with the odd free moment, they are at a loss because there’s nothing left of what they once were.
It’s not what it was. It’s not what is promised.