"I'm glad I'm not young anymore"

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• Physician Well-being
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• A physician's mid-career reflection on professional evolution.
• Observations on the aging process among mentors and mentees.
• Personal experiences with ennui and a shift in perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the evolving priorities and perspectives of a physician over their career.
• To examine the impact of aging on medical practice and personal philosophy.
• To identify essential elements for maintaining health and well-being in medicine.

Main Methods:

• Autobiographical reflection on a medical career.
• Philosophical inquiry into the nature of health and illness.
• Metaphorical analysis using sailing as an analogy for life and medical practice.

Main Results:

• A perceived shift in the importance of certain aspects of medical practice with age.
• The identification of playfulness and integrity as crucial for health.
• A deeper appreciation for patient and colleague struggles through the lens of sailing.

Conclusions:

• Medical careers undergo significant personal and professional evolution.
• Playfulness and integrity are vital components of physician and patient health.
• Life's challenges, including illness, can be better understood through relatable analogies like sailing.