Mea Culpa: Following Our Own Advice
How many readers have sat in a class that made you feel a little uncomfortable? And I am not talking about OBGYN lectures.
A couple of weeks ago, we had our first dermatology scolding. The physician emphasized strongly the importance of sunscreen and exactly what happens to the skin when UV rays have their way. I felt somewhat frightened but, more than anything, I felt guilty for being laissez faire about the matter. I tend to tan better after the first burn of the season and rarely require sunscreen after that, or so I believe. Following two weeks of reading about the different dermatological diseases caused by UV damage, I have begun to reconsider my foolish ways. Aside from my own health, though, that moment of discomfort caused me to consider how many of my personal choices might invalidate the advice I give as a provider.
One day, we will be faced with the fact that the instruction we give to our patients is completely contradictory to the way we live our lives. Take, for example, habitual smoking, excessive drinking, consistent unwise diet choices or apathetically being in the obese status of the BMI. Does it bother us a little when we virtually lie to our patients? They can smell the smoke on our clothes or see that we could use some exercise. I don't know about you, but that makes me a little uncomfortable. I know we are not perfect models of health, but shouldn't we at least be models of healthy living?
Part of PA school for me has consisted of self-examination. I love to do things my way and have not suffered any serious consequences. I am still considered young and at times a little stupid. When am I going to wake up to the fact that my health decisions will catch up to me? Have we not learned all throughout PA school what happens to the body when we inflict damage upon ourselves? PA school causes you to take a look at yourself. Are we proactively aware of the consequences of our own choices? And are we seeking to be consistent with what we teach our patients?
It is a tough road to travel when entering the health care profession. We are confronted with personal issues that impact all who surround us, including ourselves. Let this be my mea culpa as I seek to turn from my unhealthy ways. Our patients depend upon their health care providers. We owe it to them to live long and be dependable when offering advice.