Friday, June 30, 2006
On Leave
I am sad because yesterday was my last day at work. Or maybe I am relieved becuase yesterday was my last day at work. I am confused becuase yesterday was my last day at work. I slept until 2:30 pm today.
I have been working in a Washington Heights medical clinic for many years. The clinic is over-burdened and chaotic. My patients are elderly immigrants; unemployed, disabled, addicted, screwed-over, and crazy people; and others who have Medicaid or no insurance at all. The majority of my patients are very sick. Most of them have advanced chronic disease. Many have obesity, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver failure, and chronic kidney disease. They shuttle between home, clinic, hospital, and nursing homes. I also take care of a handful of generally healthy working people who are either uninsured or underinsured.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I am burned out by the demands of this work. I was dysphoric before I even started this job, I must admit, but now I am exhausted and dysphoric. Consequently, I am taking a leave of absence from my job.
I saw more than 50 patients last week. I wrote hundreds of perscriptions. I gave them appointments with their new doctors and said my goodbyes. I told at least three patients that they do not qualify for motorized wheelchairs. I wrote my final dozen "medical exemption" letters for jury duty. I renewed home care services and ordered adult diapers, walkers, and canes.
When I told my patients that I am leaving, some burst into tears. A few seemed relieved to be rid of me. Many took it in stride, with comments such as: "everytime I get a decent doctor, they leave after a year or two." I got a lot of presents: earrings, self-help books, candy, make-up, paintings/artwork, an Organizer, a "summer suit," two blouses, skimpy nighties, perfume x many, a "Hello from the Dominican Republic" pen holder, sheets, a "yo amo Jesus" brooch, a faux diamond bracelet, flowers, and a bunch of heart-felt cards. I will miss my patients.
More on my leave of absence later. I mention all of this now as an excuse of why I have been neglecting your questions on Dear Doctor Dysphoric. I will get to them soon, I hope, as I have nothing but free time stretched out in the year ahead.
Dr D.
I have been working in a Washington Heights medical clinic for many years. The clinic is over-burdened and chaotic. My patients are elderly immigrants; unemployed, disabled, addicted, screwed-over, and crazy people; and others who have Medicaid or no insurance at all. The majority of my patients are very sick. Most of them have advanced chronic disease. Many have obesity, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver failure, and chronic kidney disease. They shuttle between home, clinic, hospital, and nursing homes. I also take care of a handful of generally healthy working people who are either uninsured or underinsured.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I am burned out by the demands of this work. I was dysphoric before I even started this job, I must admit, but now I am exhausted and dysphoric. Consequently, I am taking a leave of absence from my job.
I saw more than 50 patients last week. I wrote hundreds of perscriptions. I gave them appointments with their new doctors and said my goodbyes. I told at least three patients that they do not qualify for motorized wheelchairs. I wrote my final dozen "medical exemption" letters for jury duty. I renewed home care services and ordered adult diapers, walkers, and canes.
When I told my patients that I am leaving, some burst into tears. A few seemed relieved to be rid of me. Many took it in stride, with comments such as: "everytime I get a decent doctor, they leave after a year or two." I got a lot of presents: earrings, self-help books, candy, make-up, paintings/artwork, an Organizer, a "summer suit," two blouses, skimpy nighties, perfume x many, a "Hello from the Dominican Republic" pen holder, sheets, a "yo amo Jesus" brooch, a faux diamond bracelet, flowers, and a bunch of heart-felt cards. I will miss my patients.
More on my leave of absence later. I mention all of this now as an excuse of why I have been neglecting your questions on Dear Doctor Dysphoric. I will get to them soon, I hope, as I have nothing but free time stretched out in the year ahead.
Dr D.
# posted by nomad : 7:51 PM
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it;s complicated. there are good things too-- close relationships with patients can be rewarding. I have a few amazing colleages. I definitely need some time away though...
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