The darker side of being a doctor

The Dark Side of Doctoring: A Burned Out Surgeon's StoryAs a surgeon, I once loved my job. I smiled on my way to work and looked forward to long days knowing that I was making a significant difference in people's lives. However, over the years, I have witnessed a stark transformation in the medical industry. The joy, purpose, and meaning of medicine have been replaced by the shackles of efficiency, productivity, and key performance indicators.The Industrialization of MedicineMedicine used to be a noble pursuit, but it has become an industrialized and commercialized enterprise. The altruism of young doctors has been replaced by the business of hospitals. Every aspect of medical practice is now measured, recorded, and benchmarked. The clinics are overbooked to meet productivity targets, and the paperwork for each patient encounter is increasing exponentially.Loss of AutonomyAs a surgeon, I have little say in organizing my own operating lists or clinics. Even the power to re-order the operating list has been taken away from me. The mantra is "cost-effectiveness and increased productivity." I am no longer a noble vocation, but just one of many commodities in this complex industry.Burnout and Emotional ExhaustionThe constant pressure to meet targets and the lack of autonomy have taken a toll on my emotional well-being. I feel like a cog in a machine, rather than a skilled professional with agency. The joy and purpose of medicine have been sucked out of me, leaving only exhaustion and frustration.The Patient is No Longer the PriorityIn the pursuit of efficiency and profit, the patient has become an afterthought. Patient satisfaction officers, theatre utilization officers, and patient flow coordinators have taken over, dictating how I should practice medicine. The focus has shifted from the patient to the business of hospitals.The Profit Motive at the Expense of Quality CareHaving medicine controlled by for-profit corporations has led to a culture of profit maximization over quality care. The profit motive has captured the industry, squeezing hospitals and medical practices to the edge of sustainability. This drives pain and suffering for both doctors and patients.The Solution: Building New Institutions Owned by WorkersLeaving institutions that prioritize profit over people is not a feasible solution. However, building new ones owned by workers can help reclaim the nobility of medicine. Private practices or small clinics substantially owned by doctors, rather than admins or PE firms, could provide more agency and autonomy for medical professionals.ConclusionThe dark side of doctoring is a reality that many medical professionals face today. The industrialization of medicine has taken away the joy, purpose, and meaning of our work. We need to reclaim medicine's nobility by building new institutions that prioritize people over profits. It's time for doctors to take back control and create a more sustainable and compassionate medical industry.