Understanding Doctors
I realize everyone is trying to showcase the value of their own activities. In the age of COVID-19 we have experienced the criticality of certain lines of business in our lives. The most crucial among these is without a doubt the health facilities and workers. From the first day of the fight onwards, they have been in the midst of the crisis, setting their lives at naught and working across the globe for the health of others… Let’s take doctors. They are going through a really tough time of learning right now. Learning almost never ends in this case. Certain struggles arise when considering treatment spaces. Right now most of them are residing in hospital spaces or hotels to make sure they do not carry disease to their families. They are at risk of infection and they are losing their comrades.
Of course, there may be some among the that give up, they are all human but by and large they are fighting admirably.
What is it that makes them so strong and dedicated to their work?
I called a dear doctor friend and asked them this question.
It was this response that led to the creation of this article:
“The human health, of course. Our responsibility to save a life.”
They are neglected
For companies, employee engagement does not only mean a cultural but also a numerical healing. Companies with a high rate of employee engagement have a similarly high rate of profit. Yet doctors are neglected almost worldwide when it comes to employee engagement programs. Today they are in a great fight against a crisis and they stand strong, but in a 2012 study done in the U.S.A exhibited that one in three doctors showed signs of burnout syndrome and that 60% of doctors wanted to retire right away if the right conditions were provided. That is an incredible number. The same study showed that most commentary on doctors is negative and hostile, which also creates a great devastating effect.
This is the reality for doctors who are now being globally applauded.
Are they expected to self-motivate as employees?
Are they expected to hang onto the responsibility of “saving lives” as my friend suggested?
Are these people with such invaluable education and experience expected to be motivated with “the money they make (!)”?
Health organizations must take action
Yes, this era we are going through is an incredibly tough time. It seems as though right now all that can be done in hospitals and clinics is to focus on the human health. But admit it, right now the ones on heavy duty are the doctors, nurses, caretakers and their supporting administrative personnel. Executive teams are involved, of course, but the medical personnel is carrying the bulk of the weight. Right now it is vital that the motivation and condition of the medical personnel are supported and their quality of life improved even with the smallest changes. Public or private, all hospital administrations must take urgent and rapid measures on this issue. There are doctors in high-stress environments with no security of life. unfortunately, relatives and companions who have lost people, or feel that they are not given the attention they deserve are a potential risk in these environments.
It would be faulty to think that the performance doctors and medical personnel are displaying is —by and large— ad infinitum. Are pharmaceutical companies —there may be some, I haven’t heard any—taking steps towards bettering the quality of life of doctors, for instance?
A surprise phone call….
Sometimes life sends interesting messages. When this article was being written a friend called me. I am transcribing their words here, without commentary.
“my wife has not been home for a month, you know she is a doctor and works in the intensive care unit. Me and our 8 year old son have been home for this whole month. Yesterday she sent us the photo of a test kit that came out negative. It was her friend’s test result. Her test hasn’t been done yet apparently, but wanted to cheer her son up in her ow way…”
Isik Serifsoy
CEO Engage & Grow