Episode 10: You don't have to dread call

Fellow coach Dr. Karen Leitner and I talk about how we don't have to dread call. You may not ever love it, but there are definitely strategies to decrease the fear and uncertainty.  What are the problems with call?  - We make it three times longer than it has to be: 24 hours of dread, 24 hours of misery, 24 hours of feeling regret afterward - We feel like we are in impossible situations: I don’t know what to do, and I can’t fix all of their problems -We tie our self-worth to the patient's outcome, so we ruminate on the chart and vitals because we are trying to find our value (because we don’t find it within us) Strategies for success: -Recognizing that treating patients with dignity, kindness, compassion, and brutal honesty may be the true success in patient care, rather than just survival of the patient.  -Working with the patient. Ask them the questions: What is your understanding of the situation? What do you want to get out of this? What are you willing to give up? -Asking yourself if you consent to the procedure. Are you paying attention to the informed consent that you are asking the patient to sign? Would you sign it for yourself? -Realizing you only get to live a choice one way, you will never know what happened if you chose a different path. Why wouldn’t you believe you are doing your best, and that you made the best choice?  -Remind yourself that you are not the one who is ill (take your own pulse) -Plan to talk with someone ahead of time about your fears -Hearing what is going on in your head, so you can redirect and talk to yourself kindly -Own the story of your call so you can own the ending- it’s ok not to know the right answer right away, you can figure it out -You don't have to own everything: get on the same page with your partners with effective handoffs and embracing systems-based practice. You can find Dr. Leitner and her program "How to Feel Better" here (www.karenleitnermd.com) and her article at www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/physicians-stop-dreading-call.html You can find more information about Dr. Vertrees and the BOSS Business of Surgery Series at www.BOSSsurgery.com