After I realized about the significance of the day today I have some thoughts that I would like to share here. So, this day was established to recognize physicians, their work and their contributions to society and community. But after being in this industry for almost 21 years and practiced as a primary care physician I have been witnessed a devastating shift in our profession. It is sad to see the news and also research pointing the issues about physician's burn out, physicians quitting residency at the beginning of their career or even physicians with a long career changing gears toward other industries feeling frustrated and tired of practicing modern medicine.
What are they tired about? Well, I can hear from colleagues and what I felt myself is the frustration of not being able to do what you consider the best for your patient you are following policies and recommendations written by insurance companies who don't know anything about what is best for the patient. Patient-doctor relationship is almost non-existent due to demands and the need to see more patients per day and the burden of being compliant with all the bureaucratic demands from the system. The result is patients are not being heard and physicians don't have time to talk to them.
I will leave you with some of the greatest quotes from William Osler (1849 to 1919) who was a doctor and professor and one of his most important contribution on medicine was the idea of students learning by seeing and talking to patients and the establishment of medical residency.
"Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability"
"The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease"
"One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine"
"Listen to your patient, he is telling you the diagnosis"
I just feel so inspired by these words because medicine even when we have to listen to science we shouldn't loss the art of the practice and the art of listening to patients and their needs and the art of taking a good history and the art of reading body language.
Today I want to honored all physicians for being so brave in the challenges we have to face everyday and to contribute to the advancement of science and medicine.
Also I feel so grateful for the support I have from my family and friends who helped me opened my own office and to all my patients who trust me and are making my dream come true which is having a practice were I can take the time to listen and teach them how to improve their health in the most natural way.
Happy National Doctor's Day !!
Author
Dr. Andrea Bretal M.D.
Andrea Bretal, MD, is the medical director at Weston Medical Health & Wellness in Weston, Florida. She has more than 20 years of experience as a board-certified physician in internal medicine.
Originally from Argentina, Dr. Bretal earned her degree from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario in Rosario, Argentina. She completed residencies in internal medicine at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and at the Western Reserve Hospital with Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio.
Her interest in obesity medicine began with her own weight struggles. When traditional strategies didn’t result in lasting weight loss, she began exploring the science behind weight.
Today, she uses holistic, integrative approaches to weight loss, helping each patient balance their body, mind, and soul. Dr. Bretal proudly partners with other holistic professionals to give her patients the complete support they need for success.
Dr. Bretal is passionate about helping her patients lose weight and live health
