Learning from Chaplains

Encourage new physicians to make an appointment with one of the hospital chaplains. Spend two hours with the chaplain on rounds. Chaplains approach patients quite differently from us physicians, and we physicians can learn much from even a brief time with them.

Preparing to Heal

If lack of self-care empties our spiritual cup, spiritual practices fill it. During this orientation you had a tiny experience of prayer, spiritual reading, meditation, journaling, and conference. Developing these as daily practices brings you to the bedside prepared to be a healer. In medicine we say we heal when we mean we cure. You are already prepared to cure patients. I invite you also to heal your patients.

Self Care

Spirituality is something we bring to our work. We cannot bring what we do not have; what we bring depends partly on how well we take care of ourselves. So, think about how many hours of nightly sleep you recommend for your patients, and how many hours of sleep you got last night? Do you get regular exercise? How much time did you spend last week recreating or participating in family activities? You are new on the medical staff. This is an excellent time to check any addictive behaviors. Work itself can be addictive; review your schedule. Is your life balanced? If you are using recreational drugs, we can provide confidential help in turning that problem around. Alcohol, tobacco and sex can all be addictive. Now is the time to check your habits.