The dreaded room. It tried to be comfortable, but, came off cold and unfeeling. Do you think they know? Do they even care?
Yes. They probably really do, but, there is a piece of them held back. It is what is taught in school and it probably sounds harsh, but, clinical detachment serves as a protective mechanism for dealing with a job where emotions run high. You already run a risk of burnout early on if you cannot learn to do that. Do they care? Probably more than most would guess, despite what it looks like. Then, after giving people crap news, they get to go home and bawl. Far and away from the crowd.
On days where they get to share good news, it's always a good day.
This was such a superb write and it was so spot-on, it gave me chills. You are a master.
It is a difficult job to deal with the worst moments in people's lives daily. The person being dealt with changes constantly of course, but the issues remain the same. One of my friends is a heart surgeon that specializes in the worst cases, due to high skill. They lose about half their patients - yet has to daily understand the odds of survival and come to terms with having it all literally in their hands.
Have you noticed that a lot of surgeons have escapist addictions?
Yes. Actually, I do. It's really a coping mechanism otherwise the depressing facts would do them in.
Thanks for the always thought-provoking posts.