THE ON-DECK CIRCLE Timothy Cheslock, DO, FACOEP

Not a day goes by that another article streams across one of the social media feeds about how physicians have weathered the storm of the pandemic and are now realizing the effects of those two long years. Do you feel the same motivation for work as you did before the pandemic? Have your long-term career goals changed? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years from now? Has burnout set in?

If I asked each of you those questions, I’m sure the answers would be vastly different depending on where you were prior to the start of the pandemic. There may be some common themes or maybe even some surprising answers. Universally though I think it’s safe to say that if nothing else, the events of the last two years have made us all a bit more conscious about our future and our priorities.

I have had many of those conversations with friends, colleagues and others both within the college and outside. Some of the common themes that I have come across include spending less time in their current role either clinically or administratively. Opting for more time with family. Reconsidering how much time they spend at the hospital or opting for a slower paced facility. Long-term plans included trying to go part time sooner than originally anticipated or looking for a second career or side gig that did not involve being in the ED. While most EM docs still enjoy the patient contact, the harsh reality is they want less of it and are placing more emphasis on family and other hobbies or second careers. This isn’t meant to be discouraging to those coming out of training or even those who are unfazed in their current position. It is meant to create a discussion about career longevity, burnout, and a possible new trajectory for an EM doc. There are many docs still in practice that have enjoyed a robust and fulfilling thirty-five or forty years in practice. There is also a subset who have been out for fifteen to twenty years and have said enough. Then there are the new physicians who are still in the early phases of their career and may or may not have even considered this topic. Wherever you find yourself along the spectrum, remember that you are not alone and there are likely many others in the same situation. There is no one right answer. What is clear though is that there are many possibilities.

The great part about our profession is that we are strong and resilient. We can adapt to change, and we can embrace it. Wherever you are in your career path, ACOEP has a place for you. You will always be able to find someone to have a conversation with, to bounce ideas off, or to ask opinions. You will have a resource to strengthen your knowledge, mentor you and be there for you as part of the family. We are here to support each other and help keep our college and our family strong for generations, no matter what challenges we come up against. Take full advantage of what membership in ACOEP has to offer! I look forward to sharing some of your experiences and revelations when we meet in Ft. Lauderdale. Don’t be afraid to come by and say hello! I will be happy to share my experience with you. Also, be on the lookout for my own short little poll in the ACOEP DocMatter Community about this topic. Your opinions are important not only to me but to everyone else in our organization. We are stronger together! –•–

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED US?

…I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, THE EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE MADE US ALL A BIT MORE CONSCIOUS ABOUT OUR FUTURE AND OUR PRIORITIES.”