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Everyone thinks of the hospital as a place where it smells like disinfectant, people are sad, and no one is smiling. Ok that is kind of true; it definitely smells like disinfectant, and yes at times people are sad and suffering, but we as physicians do our best to attempt to alleviate their pain and ailments. At the same time, many physicians are heavy-hearted as they may have to work on Thanksgiving or one of the winter holidays away from their families. So the doctors themselves are somewhat heavy-hearted, especially medical students and residents who are on the frontline and spend the most hours in the wards. It can be difficult to be working inpatient wards. One resident even said “Holidays are all about family, but the hospital can be tough when you work 80 hours a week”. Heck, for many of the doctors who are trying to be merry you end up feeling like a grinch. Here are 5 simple ways to help make your holiday season seem less melted and more frosty!
- Manage expectations and plan ahead – The most difficult part of being away from family is you don’t want to let them down. Therefore, let them know your schedule early, followed by planning what you will do around it. If you are working Thanksgiving Day shift, then plan a family event for the Friday after or the weekend. Knowing ahead of time lets your loved ones adjust to the rigors of the schedule and helps with acceptance.
- Brace Yourself. Winter is Coming! – Yes the stark saying is true but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Check out the holiday events in your town. In NYC there is ice skating in Central Park! Every town has their holiday traditions, and it can make the winter seem warmer…emotionally that is.
- Work Fun – that’s right I said IT! Work and fun in the same sentence. What does this mean? Well if you know the holidays are going to be tough, plan a secret Santa in your division, or have a cookie cook off amongst the medical students. Doing things together around the holidays among your colleagues lessens the toll of working.
- Plus one minus one – Remember if you had to work a holiday shift this year, then your chief residents will be likely to keep that in mind and work to make sure you get one of them off next year. It’s not always guaranteed but it’s something to remember. For students you are on elective in your 4th year and most likely will have the holidays off! Woo!
- Be there with your patients – Don’t forget it’s not just you who is the hospital during the holidays. Your patients are there, too. Don’t forget they are likely just as upset. So make sure they feel the holiday cheer by including them as well. If their diet permits, bring some holiday sweets. Bend the rules on family visitation times as well so the little ones can visit grandma after school. Sing some holiday carols or play some music on the units. Remember at the end of the day, it’s all about our patients anyway.
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