Much of the work helpers and healers do in the world focuses on mitigating pain. We go into situations where people are hurting or struggling and do what we can to improve it. We can forget that most people live their lives seeking both to mitigate pain and to maximize joy. That can be why our idea of a solution falls short of our patients’ expectations.
I think it can be an obstacle to true healing as a clinician to view patients solely through the prism of struggle. Yes, folks who have low wage jobs and live in under-resourced communities will have extra challenges with daily life before healthcare even gets addressed. That doesn’t mean they live every minute under the specter of doom. We all still want joy in whatever form it manifests in our current circumstances.
This is where I think the savior complex can be a big problem for the most altruistic individuals among us. When we see the patient as a person in need of our heroic intervention, both sides likely will be upset in the end. We are offended they aren’t effusive in their praise of the perfect execution of our treatment plan. They are irritated our plan does not address their chief concerns. We think they are ungrateful, and they think we are incompetent.
I think that is one of the reasons patients from traditionally underrepresented groups in healthcare prefer seeing physicians look like them. They expect us to see more than the struggle and the stereotype when we see them. Even when we can’t get them the full extent of their desired outcome, they hope we will be open to the consideration they are worthy of wanting it.
By no means am I suggesting I always got this right as a clinician. I still don’t always get this right as a human…who works in personal and professional development and well-being…helping other people learn how to do this right. What I am saying is my time as a clinician and since has taught me a very important lesson about using my altruistic gifts to make the world a better place. Being a curious and humble healer goes a long way to mitigating pain while maximizing joy for all involved.
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Dr Jattu Senesie is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, certified success coach, physician satisfaction specialist and speaker. She blogs about issues of self care and well-being in an effort to help her fellow altruistic high achievers find satisfaction in their success as early in their careers as possible.
