Medicine and Emergency Medicine in particular are filled with trauma and moral injury for caregivers. I oftentimes think we try to take on too much and act too tough for our own and our patients’ good. The “we can take on whatever comes our way and under any circumstances” attitude can be in one way useful and at the same time destructive. In an austere or disaster type of environment, this attitude I think is essential. In day to day medicine (especially with bottom line focused corporate incentives which can also be found in not for profit organizations) not using safety systems like planned redundancy used in climbing, mountaineering, aviation, and other fields of medicine like like anesthesia; which are well known for their significant safety improvements in modern times, is irresponsible and greatly adds to this injury. Emergency Medicine is difficult enough without these added burdens.
Great thoughts, Beau. I love the idea of redundancy. It's so true as we know from climbing together! (I'm pretty sure you passed me as a climber many years ago. I still remember you belaying my lead on Orient Express at E Rock. That climb freaked me out.)
I honestly think redundancy would lead to cost savings, too. Docs could be more confident doing less and trusting their gut because they knew they were part of a team.
Yeah, the "do your worst' mentality is a double-edged sword. So necessary at times. And at times, quite detrimental.
So good, Tyler. I'm thankful for your writing. The way you connect with people so authentically helps us overcome our own numbness and feel more alive. Please keep sharing
Thank you so much, Kerin. I am always working to overcome my own numbness. If sharing this kind of stuff can help someone else do the same, I'll definitely keep sharing!
One of your best Tyler. Thanks for sharing.
Medicine and Emergency Medicine in particular are filled with trauma and moral injury for caregivers. I oftentimes think we try to take on too much and act too tough for our own and our patients’ good. The “we can take on whatever comes our way and under any circumstances” attitude can be in one way useful and at the same time destructive. In an austere or disaster type of environment, this attitude I think is essential. In day to day medicine (especially with bottom line focused corporate incentives which can also be found in not for profit organizations) not using safety systems like planned redundancy used in climbing, mountaineering, aviation, and other fields of medicine like like anesthesia; which are well known for their significant safety improvements in modern times, is irresponsible and greatly adds to this injury. Emergency Medicine is difficult enough without these added burdens.
Great thoughts, Beau. I love the idea of redundancy. It's so true as we know from climbing together! (I'm pretty sure you passed me as a climber many years ago. I still remember you belaying my lead on Orient Express at E Rock. That climb freaked me out.)
I honestly think redundancy would lead to cost savings, too. Docs could be more confident doing less and trusting their gut because they knew they were part of a team.
Yeah, the "do your worst' mentality is a double-edged sword. So necessary at times. And at times, quite detrimental.
So good, Tyler. I'm thankful for your writing. The way you connect with people so authentically helps us overcome our own numbness and feel more alive. Please keep sharing
Thank you so much, Kerin. I am always working to overcome my own numbness. If sharing this kind of stuff can help someone else do the same, I'll definitely keep sharing!