Keynote: Redefining the Concept of Medicine as a Calling: A Path to Resilience and Wellbeing

Learning Objectives

1. Explore the shift from medicine as an all-consuming calling to a more balanced approach that prioritizes physician well-being alongside patient care;
2. Highlight practical strategies that improve patient outcomes while supporting physician wellness; and
3. Demonstrate personal and professional benefits of advocacy, including social connection, diversity exposure, and enhanced sense of purpose.

Abstract

Advocacy is one of the role requirements of the Canadian College of Physicians and Surgeons. Yet, there is little teaching and training for physicians on how to advocate most effectively, and what the benefits of advocacy are for our patients, their families, as well as the physician, the health care system, and the clinical population. There are as many methods of advocacy as there are causes to advocate for. Unfortunately because of this unlimited variety of means, it often leads to personal paralysis and abandonment of advocacy before the physician has even started their efforts. Even if advocacy is initiated, the wishful physician soon finds they are unable to sustain their efforts either through lack of time, or skill, or support and not related to a lack of passion. This presentation is given from the perspective of one individual physician who has spent a lifetime advocating with “some success” for his passion causes. Examples will be given to illustrate concepts, to translate passion into action. Benefits of advocacy whether “successful” or not, will also be presented from the author’s personal experience, and in particular of physician wellness and the sense of self efficacy, which leads to personal career satisfaction and the maintenance of passion.

The presenter is honored and humbled at the opportunity to present his experiences which are not meant to be emulated, but hopefully as inspiration to promote meaningful advocacy leading to not only better patient care but also physician wellness.

Literature References

Margaret Mead Phd Anthropologist