I'm lucky now that I'm in such a positive environment.
This is probably the department with the most relaxed, least angry bosses in the hospital.
Also the department which people from other departments are always condemning, but whatever.
Condemning other departments is normal, no?
At least in any hospital with departments to condemn.
And although that is the norm, it is rather toxic.
I rarely- RARELY- hear my bosses in any department defend their colleagues in other departments.
It's weird.
Why?
Because it's the norm.
That's how their seniors worked, and that's how they work now, and that will be us in a few months.
In fact, I know of some people who take pride in being known as 'The Malignant Senior HO'.
They take pride in the fact that fellow malignant bosses also approve of how scary and intimidating they are to their junior colleagues, their fellow staff, and patients. Apparently, being 'malignant' is encouraged- and a sign of aptitude!
And hey, take a gander at how they will run their future department soon!
Mocking other people.
Mocking other departments.
Mocking other hospitals.
Especially those that are considered 'beneath' them.
Repeatedly, I have called up certain departments to request- kindly- for a process to be expedited, or an investigation that requires expertise not available in my current facility, only to be shot left, right and centre even before I could even begin to tell my story. Simply from the introduction which indicates my HO status, the previously semi-warm greeting plunges into icy tundra, and all hell breaks loose.
Telling my seniors or bosses (with amusement, because that's how you're supposed to wave it off) only results in further remarks on how that is expected and usual, and that it somehow builds character.
I was quite surprised to find that there are decent people out there, who, when faced with the fact that we simply do not know how to properly present relevant details, will actually teach instead of scolding or slamming the phone down.
They realize that we are not experts in the field as they are, and accept it with patience.
They persevere in teaching us, so that we may do better next time.
Besides, it will definitely benefit them in the future.
Just as it benefits our health, mentally and physically, to encounter such positivity in our working environment.
These are the types of people that should be the norm in this field- this career that demands so much time and energy devoted into the caring of others--
I don't even have to ask why.
It's because we accepted that things should be tough for us.
We accept that
those supposedly higher in rank have the right to scold us unnecessarily;
that despite how wrong they are, we should strive to accept their words and not defy them.
We accept the hierarchy that has been established, blindly, and do not strive to improve our own fraternity because 'it's working'.
The hospitals are running, people are coming, so it's working.
In the journey after medical school going to fully-licensed medical practitioner, we lose our humanity and accept this so-called 'norm'. Come MO-ship, almost all of us are same ol', same ol'.
Those who don't accept this status quo are shunned by the fraternity, then ultimately leave for greener pastures (private practice or leaving the medical field entirely).
And what a shame. What a bloody waste of talent and resources.
I notice that the department in which house officers thrive- stay happy, and excited to work- are those in which the Head of Departments have zero tolerance for HO bullying.
They do not condone harsh teaching of their HOs by the MOs or other specialists or healthcare staff.
They tell their staff to treat the HOs like their younger siblings; to respect them as human beings and junior colleagues.
They actually will tell their MOs NOT to do something right in front of everyone, when they think it's wrong.
These thriving departments are not the departments which justify their MOs' legendary repute for yelling, screaming and borderline physical abuse because 'conditions are stressful'.
Sure, they say, your MOs will shout at you at first, but it's okay because they will be better to you once they know you're able to do work. And you will learn either way, if you're a tough HO, because remember, only tough HOs make it through!
And this attitude is exactly what needs to be corrected.
But who am I?
Just a HO, green from the pastures, with nary a ring to put to my career span.
This is probably the department with the most relaxed, least angry bosses in the hospital.
Also the department which people from other departments are always condemning, but whatever.
Condemning other departments is normal, no?
At least in any hospital with departments to condemn.
And although that is the norm, it is rather toxic.
I rarely- RARELY- hear my bosses in any department defend their colleagues in other departments.
It's weird.
Why?
Because it's the norm.
That's how their seniors worked, and that's how they work now, and that will be us in a few months.
In fact, I know of some people who take pride in being known as 'The Malignant Senior HO'.
They take pride in the fact that fellow malignant bosses also approve of how scary and intimidating they are to their junior colleagues, their fellow staff, and patients. Apparently, being 'malignant' is encouraged- and a sign of aptitude!
And hey, take a gander at how they will run their future department soon!
Mocking other people.
Mocking other departments.
Mocking other hospitals.
Especially those that are considered 'beneath' them.
Repeatedly, I have called up certain departments to request- kindly- for a process to be expedited, or an investigation that requires expertise not available in my current facility, only to be shot left, right and centre even before I could even begin to tell my story. Simply from the introduction which indicates my HO status, the previously semi-warm greeting plunges into icy tundra, and all hell breaks loose.
Telling my seniors or bosses (with amusement, because that's how you're supposed to wave it off) only results in further remarks on how that is expected and usual, and that it somehow builds character.
I was quite surprised to find that there are decent people out there, who, when faced with the fact that we simply do not know how to properly present relevant details, will actually teach instead of scolding or slamming the phone down.
They realize that we are not experts in the field as they are, and accept it with patience.
They persevere in teaching us, so that we may do better next time.
Besides, it will definitely benefit them in the future.
Just as it benefits our health, mentally and physically, to encounter such positivity in our working environment.
These are the types of people that should be the norm in this field- this career that demands so much time and energy devoted into the caring of others--
--and yet
they are
the minority!
I don't even have to ask why.
It's because we accepted that things should be tough for us.
We accept that
those supposedly higher in rank have the right to scold us unnecessarily;
that despite how wrong they are, we should strive to accept their words and not defy them.
We accept the hierarchy that has been established, blindly, and do not strive to improve our own fraternity because 'it's working'.
The hospitals are running, people are coming, so it's working.
In the journey after medical school going to fully-licensed medical practitioner, we lose our humanity and accept this so-called 'norm'. Come MO-ship, almost all of us are same ol', same ol'.
Those who don't accept this status quo are shunned by the fraternity, then ultimately leave for greener pastures (private practice or leaving the medical field entirely).
And what a shame. What a bloody waste of talent and resources.
I notice that the department in which house officers thrive- stay happy, and excited to work- are those in which the Head of Departments have zero tolerance for HO bullying.
They do not condone harsh teaching of their HOs by the MOs or other specialists or healthcare staff.
They tell their staff to treat the HOs like their younger siblings; to respect them as human beings and junior colleagues.
They actually will tell their MOs NOT to do something right in front of everyone, when they think it's wrong.
These thriving departments are not the departments which justify their MOs' legendary repute for yelling, screaming and borderline physical abuse because 'conditions are stressful'.
Sure, they say, your MOs will shout at you at first, but it's okay because they will be better to you once they know you're able to do work. And you will learn either way, if you're a tough HO, because remember, only tough HOs make it through!
And this attitude is exactly what needs to be corrected.
But who am I?
Just a HO, green from the pastures, with nary a ring to put to my career span.
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