Category: Medicine Life

medical school life

Medical School/

Delivering Bad News As a Physician

During my hospice rotation in residency, Dr. B, the hospice director, asked me questions that really caught me off guard. The rhetorical questions went like this: “Are you uncomfortable delivering bad news to patients because you are projecting your feelings? Are you uncomfortable with death, and therefore, you have a hard time talking about it?”

During this time, my mom was still battling breast cancer. When Dr. B posed these questions to me, I was taken aback. I looked him straight in the eyes, and as I repeated his questions in my head, I began to feel a sense of confusion. Am I uncomfortable talking about death because I am uncomfortable with the idea of death? Am I afraid of my mom dying because I don’t want to feel the pain of her loss? Am I afraid of dying? Am I projecting my fear onto my mom?

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When caring for someone kind and loving, you want to ensure they feel your love and joy in return. You want them to have everything they could ever want. How do you give them everything when you don’t have the most important thing to offer, time? When I posed this question to Dr. B, he reminded me that projecting my own emotions onto my mom was not helpful. Those are your emotions; you may be projecting pain onto her when she just needs your presence of joy and love. Your mother likely has her own fears and anxieties, and projecting your own onto her would only make things worse.

As physicians, we have many responsibilities, including delivering bad news. Instead of learning how to deliver news, we should learn how to manage our own emotions to deliver news more effectively.

Death is a complex topic that affects everyone. It is an inevitable part of life that we all have to face. From the moment we are born, we carry a proverbial ticking bomb inside us that will eventually go off, whether it is in two years or over a hundred. It doesn’t matter what our personal preferences are; death comes for us all and maybe there is beauty in that.

Medicine Life/

The Struggle: Doctoring by Day, Studying by Night

Being a doctor is a noble and rewarding profession, but it has its own challenges. One of the things that people need to realize is how tired doctors get after caring for patients all day. Also, doctors must keep learning and studying to keep up with new research and treatments. This can be tough when they’re already tired. In this article, we’ll talk about how doctors deal with this struggle and how we can balance our work and studies.

The Exhaustion: A Doctor’s Daily Dose

As doctors, we must make crucial decisions, work long hours, and care for our patients’ emotional wellbeing. This can take a toll on our mental and physical energy. After a long day at work, even the most resilient doctors can feel drained, exhausted, and emotionally spent.

Click here to read about setting boundaries to improve your life as a healthcare professional

The Challenge of Continued Learning

Doctors must keep learning new things about medicine, from new treatments to research. We have to keep up with the latest developments in our field, which means studying on our own time outside of work.

The Struggle to Study: A Balancing Act

With our busy lifestyle, it takes work to balance our medical career and our studies. Even though we are already tired, we must read textbooks, research papers, and medical literature to stay current. This can mean giving up our free time and resting hours.

Coping Strategies for Physician Scholars

  1. Create a Structured Schedule:
    Make a study schedule that fits in with work commitments. Set specific time slots for study sessions, and make sure they’re manageable and manageable.
  2. Prioritize Self-Care:
    Taking care of oneself is crucial for wellbeing. Good sleep, healthy food, and regular exercise help maintain the energy levels required for both work and study.
  3. Utilize Breaks Effectively:
    Use work breaks to study a little. Studying a bit during the day is better than cramming it all in at night.
  4. Seek Support and Connection:
    Make friends with colleagues who understand the challenges. Share experiences, tips, and resources to make the burden bearable. Check out the 5 study tips I wish I listened to on YouTube
  5. Set Realistic Goals:
    Set achievable short-term and long-term goals for studying. This will help manage expectations and give a sense of accomplishment. Click here to listen to study tips for students from doctors

The Shared Journey
As doctors, we have the power to change people’s lives for the better. While it can be challenging to balance work and studies, always remember that your health is just as important. By prioritizing self-care and setting healthy boundaries, we can avoid burnout and continue providing our patients with the best care possible. Keep pushing forward, and always remember our positive impact on the world.

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General Medicine/

Less Medication! Nurturing Growth through Lifestyle Changes in Healthcare

It is great to see the shift among Millennial physicians towards a more holistic approach to healthcare. Instead of solely relying on medication, this approach emphasizes the significance of lifestyle changes. It involves addressing individual behaviors, empowering patients, and adopting a collaborative approach to overall well-being. I believe we can attribute this positive change to the “woke” culture to some extent. What are your thoughts on this?

The Changing Landscape of Patient Care:

In the past, medication was frequently the primary method of treating patients. However, healthcare professionals now recognize that this approach has its limitations. The emphasis nowadays is on how lifestyle choices impact overall health. As a result, personalized interventions are often more effective than a generic, one-size-fits-all approach.

Education and Empowerment:

Giving patients knowledge about how their lifestyle choices affect their health is critical to this approach. As healthcare professionals, we now act as teachers, informing patients about how their daily decisions impact their health outcomes. The goal is to help patients understand their role in their healthcare journey.

Addressing Root Causes:

Addressing underlying issues is critical to this approach. We are now looking more closely at lifestyle factors contributing to health issues. Instead of just treating symptoms, we focus on understanding and preventing problems.

Personalized Medicine in Lifestyle Interventions:

Using personalized medicine in lifestyle interventions is a big step forward. Tailoring interventions to the patient’s characteristics recognizes that everyone’s needs and responses differ. Using technology and data, we can personalize interventions and make them more effective.

Collaborative Healthcare:

Collaboration is becoming more and more critical in healthcare. Working together as a team is crucial in achieving optimal health outcomes. This means that healthcare professionals and patients must work together as partners in the healthcare journey.

Inspiring Growth and Change:

Prioritizing lifestyle changes is not just about reducing risk factors; it’s also about inspiring growth. Encouraging patients to embrace positive lifestyle changes is critical. Success stories can be inspiring, showing patients how small changes can make a big difference to their health.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Like any significant change, there are challenges. It’s essential to address the barriers to implementing lifestyle-focused care. But these challenges also create opportunities for growth and development. Adapting to the changing healthcare landscape means embracing change and continuously refining approaches.

Click here to read about how you can improve your nutritional health with vitamin K2 supplementation.

In conclusion, the shift towards prioritizing lifestyle changes in healthcare is a big deal. It’s a move away from just relying on medication and towards a more complete approach that includes growth, collaboration, and personalized, holistic care. By working together, healthcare professionals and patients can shape the future of healthcare for the better.

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Medicine Life/

How I Deal With Complex Grief

When you lose someone to cancer or an unfortunate cause, you can lose everything along with them. Your reason, your cause, your motivation. Life can become less meaningful. Hell, it can even feel pointless. 

So, how do you find a reason again? How do you stop holding on to the pain?

You will get great advice and reminders about letting go of pain, which is a gradual process that requires patience and self-compassion. It is essential to recognize that healing does not mean forgetting or diminishing the significance of the loss. And it involves finding a way to integrate the experience into your life, allowing it to shape you without defining you. Sure, that all makes sense. But how do you actually do it? How do you redefine your reason when any reason you think of is not good enough? 

Read my blog post on how to establish and communicate boundaries effectively.

To be honest, I am still figuring that out. Right now, I have concluded that when we lose meaningful reasons, when we are in this complex grief, when anything and everything is just not feeling enough to explain a loss, it is okay to not need a reason. 

Maybe you just keep going anyway until a reason is good enough. You keep going to find that reason. 

Yesterday marked 2 years of my mom’s passing to breast cancer. I am in a new space and just doing it regardless of what, why, how, where, when, and how long. I am just being, and right now, that is good enough for me. 

She isn’t here, but she is in me. And just like she showed us strength, I will keep having strength. I love you, Mom. 

Check out my YouTube Video for my update on life during these difficult times.

I hope you find meaning in this post. If you are having a difficult time and thoughts of suicide, please, seek professional help. You matter. You can dial 988 to reach the suicide hotline.

Medicine Life/

“Work Harder on Yourself, Not Your Job”

Check out my style video on Instagram, inspiring this blog post.

I have recently started thinking differently about my life and my priorities. I have become more aware of where I invest my energy, and now I am committed to myself more than ever before.

I’m proud of the person I was, who pushed herself to attain her career goals. She wanted to work hard for her parents, the women of Afghanistan, and the American Dream.

While I am proud of my professional achievements, I have come to understand that I need to prioritize my own personal growth and well-being. I have decided to commit myself to this new perspective and am excited to see where it takes me.

Your Job vs. You:

Your job is only a part of who you are. While it’s commendable to excel in your profession, true fulfillment comes from becoming the best version of yourself.

It’s a shift from the external to the internal, from the job defining you to you defining your path.

Investing in Personal Growth:

Working on yourself involves committing to continuous learning and self-improvement. Whether developing new skills, honing existing ones, or caring for your physical and mental well-being, investing in personal growth pays off in all areas of your life.

I may be scared by how much I neglected my health during medical school and residency. If I had taken better care of myself, maybe I wouldn’t have the regrets I have now. I also wouldn’t have struggled so much, constantly in anxiety, placing constant stress on my body.

Balancing & Building My Focus:

I am setting and keeping boundaries related to everything else around me. Read my blog post on the Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician.

It’s not about neglecting my job but finding a balance that allows me to excel professionally while fostering personal growth.

As you work harder on yourself, you bring renewed energy and passion to your job, creating a positive feedback loop.

Remember, success is not just a destination but a journey of continuous improvement and self-discovery.

Much love,

Medicine Life/

The Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician

Physicians, Set Your Boundaries to Avoid Burnout.
The Importance of Setting Boundaries as an Attending Physician

As an attending physician, the transition from residency to a full-fledged medical career can be exhilarating yet demanding. The responsibility of patient care, administrative duties, and the perpetual demands of the healthcare field can quickly blur the lines between personal and professional life. The most essential skill that is crucial for a successful and sustainable medical career is the art of setting boundaries.

The Importance of Boundaries to Avoid Burnout

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not just a luxury; it is necessary for both personal well-being and professional efficacy. Setting clear boundaries enables attending physicians to perform optimally while preventing burnout and exhaustion. Here’s a closer look at how setting boundaries can positively impact your career:

Preserving Personal Time

Attending physicians often find themselves caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities, making it challenging to differentiate between work and personal time. Establishing boundaries helps carve out sacred moments for self-care, family, and personal pursuits. Whether it’s a regular exercise routine, family dinners, or simply downtime for relaxation, protecting these moments is crucial for long-term career satisfaction.

Enhancing Focus and Productivity

Setting boundaries allows physicians to prioritize tasks efficiently, leading to increased focus and productivity during working hours. When boundaries are clearly defined, attending physicians can allocate time for patient care, administrative duties, and professional development without feeling overwhelmed.

Preventing Burnout

Physician burnout is a pervasive issue in the medical field, often fueled by an incessant workload and emotional exhaustion. Establishing limits on working hours, patient load, and non-urgent responsibilities can act as a preventive measure against burnout. Recognizing and respecting personal limitations is a vital aspect of self-preservation in the medical profession.

Practical Tips for Boundary Setting

Now that we understand the significance of boundaries, let’s explore some practical tips for implementing them in your professional life:

1. Define Clear Working Hours

Establish set working hours and stick to them as much as possible. Communicate these hours to colleagues, staff, and even patients to manage expectations effectively. Consistency in your schedule fosters a sense of predictability and control.

2. Learn to Say No

While attending physicians often want to go above and beyond for their patients and colleagues, learning to say no is a valuable skill. Prioritize tasks and commitments based on their impact and urgency, and don’t hesitate to decline non-essential requests when necessary.

3. Delegate Responsibilities

Effective delegation is key to preventing an overwhelming workload. Trust your team and delegate tasks that don’t require your direct attention. This not only lightens your load but also empowers your colleagues to contribute meaningfully to patient care.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s regular exercise, hobbies, or simply downtime for relaxation, investing in your well-being is essential for sustained success in your medical career.

5. Regularly Reassess and Adjust

Boundaries are not static; they evolve with changes in your personal and professional life. Regularly reassess your boundaries and be open to adjusting them as needed. Flexibility is key to maintaining a healthy balance.

In Conclusion

Setting boundaries as an attending physician is not a sign of weakness but a testament to your commitment to long-term success and well-being. By preserving personal time, enhancing focus, and preventing burnout, you are not only safeguarding your professional career but also ensuring that you can continue to provide exceptional care to your patients for years to come. Embrace the power of boundaries and embark on a journey towards a fulfilling and sustainable medical practice.

Study Schedule & Tips/

5 Reasons You Are Dreading to Study

Struggling to Hit the Books? You are not alone in dreading to study! Uncover the 5 Hidden Reasons You’re Avoiding Study Time 📚😫 – Find out what’s really holding you back from academic success!

Feeling a sense of dread or resistance when it comes to studying is a shared experience, and it’s essential to understand the underlying reasons. Here are five possible reasons why you might be dreading to study:

1. Lack of Interest:
Lack of interest in a subject or topic can indeed be a significant factor behind the dread of studying. When you’re not engaged or enthusiastic about what you’re learning, it’s natural for studying to feel like a tedious chore. To overcome this challenge, consider finding ways to make the material more relatable and relevant to your life. Try connecting the subject matter to your personal interests or future goals. Break down your study sessions into manageable chunks and reward yourself after completing them. Seek out additional resources such as documentaries, podcasts, or real-world applications that can make the subject more engaging. Moreover, setting clear goals and reminding yourself of the bigger picture, like how this knowledge can contribute to your overall growth, can help reignite your motivation and make studying a more enjoyable experience. Remember, your mindset plays a crucial role in your study journey, and finding ways to cultivate genuine interest can go a long way in making the process less daunting.

Check out my YouTube video on How To Study Efficiently 

2. Overwhelm:
Feeling overwhelmed while studying can undoubtedly lead to a sense of dread. When you’re confronted with an avalanche of information, it’s easy to become disheartened. To combat this, start by breaking down your study tasks into smaller, more manageable portions. Create a schedule that allocates specific time slots for each topic or chapter, and don’t forget to include short breaks to recharge your focus. Prioritize what’s most important and tackle one thing at a time. Additionally, consider seeking support from peers or instructors when you encounter challenging concepts. Sometimes, discussing your difficulties with others can provide valuable insights and reduce the feeling of isolation. Lastly, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness can help alleviate the stress associated with being overwhelmed, making studying a less daunting endeavor. Remember, taking things step by step and maintaining a sense of balance in your study routine can go a long way in combating the dread caused by being overwhelmed.

 

Check out my blog post on how to prepare for Step 3 CCS

3. Fear of Failure:
The fear of failure can be a powerful force that deters many from even starting their study sessions. It’s essential to recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process, and it’s through setbacks that we often learn the most. To overcome this fear, try shifting your perspective. Instead of seeing failure as a dead-end, view it as a stepping stone towards improvement. Set realistic goals and celebrate small victories along the way. Break your studies into manageable chunks, and if you’re struggling with a particular topic, seek help from teachers, peers, or tutors. Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and it’s these mistakes that pave the way for growth and success. Embrace the idea that every moment spent studying is a step towards personal development and knowledge, regardless of the immediate outcome. By doing so, you can gradually reduce the fear of failure and approach your studies with greater confidence and determination.

Check out my YouTube video where I share how I overcame this. 

4. Distractions and Procrastination:
Distractions and procrastination can be the two-headed dragon that keeps us from successful studying. The constant allure of social media, entertainment, and other diversions can easily pull us away from our books. To combat this, start by creating a dedicated study space free from distractions. Put away your phone or use apps that block access to time-wasting websites during study sessions. Break your study time into shorter, focused intervals, and reward yourself with a brief break when you complete them. Additionally, set clear goals for what you want to achieve during each study session, and visualize the satisfaction of completing your tasks. This can serve as a powerful motivator to beat procrastination. Remember, staying organized and disciplined is key to conquering distractions and procrastination, allowing you to make the most of your study time.

Click to read about my ADHD story

5. Negative Past Experiences:
Negative past experiences, whether academic or personal, can cast a shadow on your motivation to study. It’s crucial to recognize that these experiences don’t define your future potential. To conquer the weight of the past, start by reframing those experiences as valuable lessons rather than failures. Understand that setbacks are a part of everyone’s journey. Set realistic expectations for yourself and break your study tasks into smaller, achievable goals. Seek support from mentors, friends, or counselors if needed, as discussing your feelings can help alleviate their hold on you. Ultimately, remember that your past does not dictate your future. You have the power to reshape your academic path and create a brighter, more fulfilling learning experience. Embrace the wisdom gained from your past and use it as fuel to drive your future success.

In conclusion, studying can be a challenging endeavor, especially when faced with obstacles like lack of interest, overwhelm, fear of failure, distractions, and negative past experiences. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome these hurdles. By finding ways to connect with your subject matter, breaking down your study sessions, seeking support when needed, and reframing setbacks as stepping stones, you can transform your study habits and regain control over your learning journey. Remember, your potential is not defined by your past or your fears; it’s shaped by your determination to persevere and grow. So, tackle those study sessions with confidence, knowing that you have the tools to succeed and the resilience to overcome any challenges that come your way. Your academic journey is yours to shape, and the possibilities for growth and achievement are boundless.

Medical School/

My ADHD Story

I was recommended to get evaluated for ADHD by my pediatric attending during my 3rd-year clinical rotations. I did not listen to her recommendations until I started to see her reasoning as I was functionally struggling, but always in near breakdown.

I was in denial because I saw ADHD as a form of weakness and even now still struggle with this idea (I know it is silly but my truth). I finally decided to get evaluated at the end of my third year of medical school. I got diagnosed and was started on the medication, methylphenidate. I tried it for a week or two and decided it wasn’t doing anything and I just needed to change my habits and learn to control my focus.

I continued to struggle but there were also a lot of other things happening in my personal life that I continued to make excuses for my symptoms.

My excuses:

  • My constant inner restlessness is all from my anxiety.
  • my anxiety is from having generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
  • My impatience and impulsivity are part of my personality
  • My inattentiveness is my selective hearing and daydreaming habits from my childhood
  • My disorganization is just my lack of good habits
  • My forgetfulness is from being distracted by so much work.
  • My distracting behavior is from having so many things on my plate.
  • Remarks by friends and family are just remarks and it doesn’t mean anything.

 

 

I continued to just functionally struggle. I worked really, really hard and the payoff was average. Over time, I burnt out more frequently.

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I began to get moody, and easily irritable and my anxiety even worsened. I continued to work on coping mechanisms and thought I was doing okay. I thought I was handling it well. I started my intern year of family medicine residency. The stress of my mom’s cancer and the stress of residency was taking on a further toll on me with uncontrolled ADHD.

 

I was struggling with residency as an intern and I had mentioned a history of ADHD to one of my attendings during an evaluation. I was again recommended to discuss treatment with my PCP.

 

 

I have been on methylphenidate for over a year now and my anxiety is more controlled, and my inner restlessness, impatience, impulsivity, distractibility, and disorganization have improved. On the days I don’t take my medication there is a difference compared to when I do. Often noted by others more than myself. I am learning to accept external help for my ADHD.

LYSSE

I struggled for years, I mean really struggled when I could have had it a little less difficult.

This was all shared as a reminder of the various insecurities everyone deals with. truthfully, I still struggle with admitting that I have ADHD out loud as I find this a weakness like I am making an excuse for not being good enough.

As always, my posts are always a self-reminder and a reminder that you are not alone.

@Dr.Mursi.MD

Medical School/

Response to Hardship

The Process of Healing – Journal Entry 1

Through these journal entries, I hope to help myself find meaning in life again after the loss of my mom. I share such a private journey publicly in the hopes of helping someone out there who is also in a lot of pain. You are not alone in your feelings. I am here with you. This can be our healing process. To make the most of these journal entries, I encourage you to be an active participant and journal along with me. Write out your thoughts after reading each journey entry. It can be concerning the topic I talk about or just your current existing thoughts running through your head, keeping you distracted.

 

HOW I RESPOND TO HARDSHIP

I have always believed there are three ways that you can respond to a painful happening in your life

 

 

1. You can get stuck in the past and drown in your sorrows.
2. You can deny its existence and just go with the flow of life.
3. You can acknowledge the pain and actively work on how to grow and
improve.

My response to hardship has mostly been about the next step. What do I have to do next to survive the hardship? What I have to focus on to make the burden of the pain I feel… less. I believe I am a person who often chooses the third option, but at times I feel I do practice the second.

What do I have to focus on to make the burden of the pain I feel… less.