Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

How violating trust during residency undermines patient care

Chiduzie Madubata, MD
Education
June 12, 2016
151 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

For many people in medical training, one period of time that they look forward to is the elective period. Most of the time, these periods are available for people to explore potential career opportunities, whether it is a certain subspecialty or a research opportunity. Usually, people are not on call and weekends are free, luxuries that are often sparse during the rigors of medical training. Most of the time, one can take vacations during this period of time with the potential for recuperation. However, at times, one can be on backup call in the event that a colleague becomes sick and needs coverage.

In my experience, there is an honor code that underlies this type of system. I have had my fair share of being called in at times to cover an ailing colleague. The assumption is that the person calling out has a serious illness that makes it difficult for him or her to execute their medical duties. There is a trust involved between colleagues when it comes to these periods, especially since the times of a lighter schedule can be few and far between, and colleagues calling in for relief can take some of that time away. However, there are examples of that trust being violated, and in those situations, people have a tougher time trusting their colleagues if relief from duties is requested due to illness.

A powerful reminder of this took place near the end of my residency. One of the residents had called out sick, and another resident had to come in to do his particular shift. The resident that came in acted under the assumption that he was covering for an ailing colleague; however, a few days later, pictures of the resident that called out sick appeared on Facebook that same evening. He was out having a good time at a party while another resident was covering his shift in good faith. When word got around, the “sick” resident was chastised, and any further attempt to call out sick was looked at with suspicion.

When an incident like this happens, a lack of trust occurs, and the resident who called out sick inappropriately became an example of other people of whom residents on backup call were suspicious if they called out during particular ward months. It cuts into the ability of doctors to work together fully, to believe that their colleagues have their back in one of the toughest professions there is. Given the high-stress situations that we are in, the hope is that we can look at our colleagues when we are in the trenches and believe that they would watch out for us.

Another result of this is that it can cause other residents who do need to call out sick to keep working even though they need to recuperate from their illness, out of the fear that they would be labeled as a resident who may be trying to take advantage of others if they call out sick. This fear of not being trusted can cause other people to extend themselves further than physically possible, putting themselves and their patients at risk as they try to work through a debilitating illness.

At the end of the day, our patients are ultimately the ones who benefit from our professionalism. They depend on us to show up when necessary to offer our specialized skills to help them to get better, but they also expect us to use our judgment to act in ways that would allow us to treat them as effectively as possible. This means that if we are too sick to work, we step aside and allow our colleagues to care for our patients as we care for ourselves, but that if we are able to work, we do so to our fullest ability. There is an underlying integrity and teamwork that is expected among ourselves, and we are called upon to try to promote those traits among ourselves as we go through the workday.

As we continue to show up, no matter how tiring or frustrating it may be, these traits become stronger, and morale improves among the physician workforce. Trust builds up and teamwork becomes the norm, and as a result, we can execute our duties more effectively. At the end of the day, our patients will benefit, and that should be enough to spur us to continue to show up when we can to provide the best care we can.”

Chiduzie Madubata is a cardiology fellow.  This article originally appeared in the ABIM Foundation.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Physicians are society's scapegoats

June 12, 2016 Kevin 5
…
Next

This doctor was remembered for his devotion to patients. Was it enough?

June 12, 2016 Kevin 7
…

Tagged as: Residency

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Physicians are society's scapegoats
Next Post >
This doctor was remembered for his devotion to patients. Was it enough?

More by Chiduzie Madubata, MD

  • The coronavirus cost that no one can count

    Chiduzie Madubata, MD
  • A physician sees end-of-life care through a religious lens

    Chiduzie Madubata, MD
  • Veterans deserve our full attention

    Chiduzie Madubata, MD

Related Posts

  • More physician responsibility for patient care

    Michael R. McGuire
  • The ultimate in patient empowerment: advance care planning

    Patricia McTiernan
  • Building a bond of trust between patient and physician

    Michele Luckenbaugh
  • Patient care is not a spectator sport

    Jim Sholler
  • Why health care fails to deliver better value in patient care

    Kristan Langdon, DNP and Timothy Lee, MPH
  • What Celine Dion can teach us about patient care

    Edward Leigh

More in Education

  • The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage

    Kaelor Gordon
  • Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • From studying to baby kicks: Navigating motherhood in medical school

    Natalie Eichner-Seitz
  • The power of advocacy: a medical student’s journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

    Fabiola Plaza
  • From AI to love: the key to a better future in medical education

    Stevan Walkowski, DO
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming Parkinson’s: a journey of laughter and resilience

      Cynthia Poire Mathews, FNP | Conditions
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • Maximize sleep efficiency with stimulus control

      Pedram Navab, DO | Conditions

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 3 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Asthma, Eczema Tied to Osteoarthritis Risk
  • Four-Year-Old Gets Hospital Bill; Woolly Mammoth Meatball; How AR-15s Damage Humans
  • How This Doctor Found Purpose After a Devastating Injury
  • House Lawmakers Squabble Over HHS Budget
  • Infant Formula Crisis Exposed FDA and Industry Failings, Lawmakers Say

Meeting Coverage

  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Less Abuse With Extended-Release Oxycodone, Poison Center Data Suggest
  • Novel Strategies Show Winning Potential in Ovarian Cancer
  • Children Do Well With Fewer Opiates After Surgery
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming Parkinson’s: a journey of laughter and resilience

      Cynthia Poire Mathews, FNP | Conditions
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • Maximize sleep efficiency with stimulus control

      Pedram Navab, DO | Conditions

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

How violating trust during residency undermines patient care
3 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...