Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Medicine pp 1–56Cite as

Enjoying the Struggle

  • Chapter

  • 233 Accesses

Abstract

At once one of the most demanding and most rewarding of all professions, medicine can be tyrannizing or exhilarating. If the pressing responsibilities, sensitive interpersonal relationships, and strenuous time pressures in caring for patients are allowed to escalate to tedium or drudgery, the passion for medical practice will vanish. If patient care becomes overly demanding, onerous, or boring, enthusiasm and pleasure will fade, and both patient and physician will suffer. But that does not have to happen. The practice of medicine is admittedly a strict taskmaster, requiring daily decisions about puzzling, often life-threatening illnesses, as well as constant awareness of the newest, most authentic information. But medicine also offers endless opportunities for enjoyment, satisfaction, and exhilaration through intellectual advancement and service to patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Richards RK, Cohen RM. Why physicians attend traditional CME programs. J MedEduc. 1980; 55:479–485.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Houle CO. Continuing Learning in the Professions. Sun Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1980:208–209.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Osler W. The reserves of life. Address delivered at St. Mary’s Hospital, London, 1907 Oct 2. St. Mary’s Hosp Gaz. 1907;13:97.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Shaw GB. John Bull’s Other Island. In: Bernard Shaw: Selected Plays with Prefaces. Vol 2. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co.; 1957:611.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Osler W. After twenty-five years. An address at the opening of the session of the medical faculty, McGill University, 1899 Sep 21. Montreal Med J. 1899;28:832.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Johnson S. The Rambler. Vol 5. No. 150, 1751 Aug 24. London: J. Payne and J. Bouquet; 1752:120.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Moynihan B. Abdominal Operations. Vol 1. Revised, preface to the 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1926:11–12.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Osler W. Books and men. In: Aequanimitas, with Other Addresses to Medical Students, Nurses and Practitioners of Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Blakiston; 1945:210.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Whitehead AF. Technical education and its relation to science and literature. In: The Aims of Education and Other Essays. New York: MacMillan; 1959:79.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Adler M. Why only adults can be educated. In: Gross R, ed. Invitation to Lifelong Learning. Chicago: Follett; 1982:92.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Osler W. In: Bean WB, ed. Sir William Osler: Aphorisms from His Bedside Teachings and Writings. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas; 1968:36.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Holmes OW. Scholastic and bedside teaching. In: Medical Essays; 1842-1882. Vol 9. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1911:273.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Maugham WS. The Summing Up. Garden City, NY: Doubleday; 1946.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Miller GE. Continuing education for what? J Med Educ. 1967;42:322.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Cohen JJ. Association of American Medical Colleges Memorandum No. 00-32. 2000 Jul 31.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Whitehead AN. The rhythmic claims of freedom and discipline. In: The Aims of Education and Other Essays. New York: MacMillan; 1959:57.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Whitehead AN. Universities and their function. In: The Aims of Education and Other Essays. New York: Macmillan; 1959:147.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Weed LL. Your Health and How to Manage It. Essex Junction, VT: Essex Publishing; 1975:91.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fox RD, Mazmanian PE, Putnam RW. Changing and Learning in the Lives of Physicians. New York: Praeger; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Allery LA, Owen PA, Robling MR. Why general practitioners and consultants change their clinical practice: a critical incident study. BMJ 1997;314:870–874.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Mazmanian PE, Daffron SR, Johnson RE, David DA, Kantrowitz MP. Information about barriers to planned change: a randomized controlled trial involving continuing medical education lectures and commitment to change. AcadMed. 1998;73:882–886.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Eisenberg JM. Doctors’ Decisions and the Cost of Medical Care. Ann Arbor, MI: Health Administration Press; 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Stross JK, Hiss RG, Watts CM, Davis WK, MacDonald R. Continuing education in pulmonary disease for primary care physicians. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1983;127:739–746.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. McDonald CJ. Protocol-based computer reminders, the quality of care and the non-perfectability of man. N Engl J Med. 1976;295:1351–1355.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ornstein SM, Garr DR, Jenkins RG, Rust PF, Arnon A. Computer-generated physician and patient reminders. Tools to improve population adherence to selected preventive services. J Fam Pract. 1991;32:82–90.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Towle A. Shifting the culture of continuing medical education: what needs to happen and why is it so difficult? J Contin Educ Health Prof. 2000;20:208–218.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Paz O. Development and other mirages. In: The Other Mexico: Critique of the Pyramid. Kemp L, trans. New York: Grove Press; 1972:68.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Khayyam O. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Fitzgerald E, trans. London: John Lane the Bodley Head Ltd; 1922: quatrain 7.

    Google Scholar 

References

  1. Ochsner A, DeBakey ME, eds. Christopher’s Minor Surgery. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1955, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  2. DeBakey ME, Gotto AM, Jr. The New Living Heart. Holbrook (MA): Adams Media; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

References

  1. DeBakey ME, DeBakey L. The ethics and economics of high-technology medicine. Compr Ther. 1983;9(12):6–16.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. DeBakey ME. The winds of change in medicine [editorial]. South Med J. 1993;86:1316–1317.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. DeBakey ME, DeBakey L. Medicine in the managed care era. Houston Business Rev. 1996; Summer: 70–75.

    Google Scholar 

  4. DeBakey ME. Rx for the health care system. The Wall Street Journal. 1998 Oct 8;CII(70):A18.

    Google Scholar 

  5. DeBakey ME, DeBakey L. Should physicians unionize? The Wall Street Journal. 1999 Jul 7;CIV(4):A22.

    Google Scholar 

  6. DeBakey ME. Medical centers of excellence and health reform. Science. 1993;262:523–525.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. DeBakey ME. Prescription for disaster. The Wall Street Journal. 1994 Jun 23; XCIII(122):A14.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Holmes OW. Medical Essays. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1891.

    Google Scholar 

  9. DeBakey ME, Gotto AM Jr. The New Living Heart. Hol-brook, MA: Adams Media; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

Reference

  1. Hurst JW. The Heart. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

References

  1. Kipling R. The elephant’s child. In: Just So Stories. New York: Lancer; 1968:47.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hurst JW. Ten reasons why Lawrence Weed is right. N Engl J Med. 1971;284:51–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hurst JW. I view with alarm. Am J Cardiol. 1995; 75:832–834.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hurst JW. I view with alarm (1997). Am J Cardiol. 1997; 80:769.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hurst JW. I view with alarm (1999). Am J Cardiol. 1999; 84:1339–1340.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hurst JW. Teaching Medicine: Process, Habits, and Actions. Atlanta: Scholars Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Adler M J. Great Ideas from the Great Books. New York: Washington Square; 1966:280–282.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Tuttle EJ Sr. Heroism in war and peace. Emory Univ Q. 1957;13(3):129–130.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. DeBakey Heart Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

    Michael E. DeBakey M.D. (Chancellor Emeritus, Olga Keith Wiess and Distinguished Service Professor Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery Director)

  2. Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

    J. Willis Hurst M.D. (Consultant to the Division of Cardiology, Former Professor and Chairman Department of Medicine (1957-1986)

Authors
  1. Michael E. DeBakey M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Willis Hurst M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

    Phil R. Manning M.D. (Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Paul Ingalls Hoagland-Hastings Foundation Professor of Continuing Medical Education, Former Associate Vice President for Health Affairs, Former Associate Dean for Postgraduate Affairs) (Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Paul Ingalls Hoagland-Hastings Foundation Professor of Continuing Medical Education, Former Associate Vice President for Health Affairs, Former Associate Dean for Postgraduate Affairs)

  2. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

    Lois DeBakey Ph.D. (Professor of Scientific Communication) (Professor of Scientific Communication)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2004 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

DeBakey, M.E., Willis Hurst, J. (2004). Enjoying the Struggle. In: Manning, P.R., DeBakey, L. (eds) Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21784-0_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-21784-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-00427-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-21784-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation