We all make decisions about whether something is worth the price to attain it. That “something” is not necessarily an object;
it can be success at work, as a parent, or any number of things. There is some price to pay for doing what you want to do and doing it well.
The price we pay to excel can be measured in time, money, effort, or any number of costs. It took years of training with many successes and failures for professional sports figures and musicians to get to where they are. Investment in training, a strict schedule that limited socializing, and time away from family are likely just a few costs. The same is true in medicine.
DECISIONS IN MEDICINE
Time is spent studying in college to get to medical school. In medical school, the studying continues, and the path transitions to a
residency in the chosen specialty. After residency, the choice is made to start working in the chosen specialty or obtain more training to subspecialize. The process often entails over a decade of education and training to just start working for real! But the decisions continue.
The decision to work in academic medicine or non-academic medicine, perform research, or teach medical trainees are just a few of the many paths physicians may take. The possibilities are almost endless. But the thing that is not endless is one’s resources to pay for them.
PAYING THE PRICE
Nothing in medicine is without a price. The ultimate decision is whether you want to it. Is it worth spending time away from your family while working on research? Is it worth it to dedicate most of your time caring for patients while not taking care of yourself? Is it worth it to accept more work from your department to be a “team player,” despite taking more time away from your life outside of work? The choices are not black or white.
Physicians need to look at their chosen path and decide whether it is worth the price. If the price is right, then pay it! But face the decision with transparency and understand your ultimate goals. Success and accomplishment are not without sacrifice. You just need to decide if your vision of success is worth the price.
