It’s not uncommon to see doctors whose lives revolve around their medical careers, especially those who are practicing a demanding subspecialty. These doctors have a tendency to define their lives through their profession, and, absent this role, would lose their sense of identity. However, being in ‘career mode’ 24/7 can be detrimental to your physical and emotional well-being.
In this episode of Prosperous Doc, host Shane Tenny speaks to cardiac surgeon Dr. Brian Lima about heart-ificial intelligence, a topic he explores in his book, Heart To Beat: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity―The Heart Way. (5:26) Dr. Lima shares the story of his journey to becoming a doctor through HEART values – hard word, entrepreneurship, aligned, relentless, and thoughtfulness. (6:24) With his father as his inspiration, Dr. Lima developed an attitude of persistence that has positively influenced his career.
They go on to discuss the concept of failure and examine coping mechanism for dealing with failure in the medical industry. As surgeons and other medical professionals know, no matter how well you follow the process, if everything is by the book, mistakes are unavoidable. While admitting he understands how difficult it is, Dr. Lima encourages doctors not to dwell on their errors, to persevere in the face of adversity. (13:54) He also talks about complacency as being the enemy of success, and that you owe it to your patients to improve as a physician. (17:54) There is always new technology, literature, techniques, and devices you learn in the industry, even outside your field, that can help you become a better doctor. (19:00)
Dr. Lima provides two tips on how to make the most of the limited doctor-patient times afforded to us, given the current COVID-19 crisis: limit the amount of jargon by breaking things down into simple language and try to involve the family in the discussion. During difficult conversations, patients may struggle to process the information they’re hearing. (8:56)
Above all, let patients know how much you care. For Dr. Lima, “it’s a calling, not a job.” (11:27)
Financial Wellness Tip
This episode’s financial wellness tip centers on estate planning and how imperative it is to a comprehensive financial plan. Drawing from his personal experience of losing his father in high school, Will Koster stresses the necessity of mapping your estate plan with your attorney and executing the requisite documents. Estate planning isn’t a luxury for the affluent, it’s an indispensable tool for providing peace of mind and avoiding consequences like family infighting and exorbitant tax bills.
Prosperous Doc podcast by Spaugh Dameron Tenny highlights real-life stories from doctors and dentist to encourage and inspire listeners through discussions of professional successes and failures in addition to personal stories and financial wellness advice. Spaugh Dameron Tenny is a comprehensive financial planning firm serving doctors and dentist in Charlotte, NC. To find out more about Spaugh Dameron Tenny, visit our website at www.sdtplanning.com. You can also connect with our host, Shane Tenny, CFP at shane@whitecoatwell.com or on Twitter.
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