Doctor for the team

Photo: the doctor's office at Hungary, June 2022.

Besides being a doctor for the refugees, being on a humanitarian project also means you are a doctor for the team. Sometimes officially stated, other times, unofficially.

When being a doctor, I am used to always being available and having a responsibility. By vowing the medical oath I promised to do so. Still I am always in the position to say I am not capable of delivering medical care at a certain moment (for instance when I drank alcohol or am in a emotional state which doesn’t allow me to think clearly). Or when I believe I don’t have the knowledge nor skills to deliver the care needed. Still, being the doctor for your team is different. These are your colleagues, some you work very closely with sometimes and who can become your friends. So there is a challenge there.

Then secondly, being on a project does not give you the chance to go home. Home is right here, and work and private life becomes one and the same. When I was on project in Hungary, at a doctors clinic at the border of Ukraine, supporting people on the move from the war, my sleeping cabin was right next to the doctors office, blending work and home nicely together. 😉

For instance, one day I just woke up for 5 minutes, before even being able to go to the bathroom and relieve myself, I was already asked about painkillers by a woman outside. I didn’t consider myself at work yet, but for others I was. Also because I was available 24/7 a day (luckily now since it is calm my sleep does not get disturbed).

For most of the team, not only the medical team, this is the case, being at work 24/7 day can be more demanding than one might think. There are certain boundaries between work and private life in my current job at an Emergency Department at the hospital. I know that when I travel there, as soon as I arrive I will be the doctor. I mentally prepare for this, mostly subconsciously, when arriving at work. Putting on my work clothes and gear makes me mentally shift from private Aniek to doctor Aniek. Being able to take these clothes of, handing in my work phone, closing my mailbox and the door of the hospital behind me, releases me of my duty and the responsibility and burden that goes with it. These are things that, over the years, I learned not to take lightly. The responsibility can weigh heavily and for me I had to learn how to guard my boundaries.

Also I sometimes noticed that having to be the doctor outside of the work place, my brain doesn’t work as well. I definitely have a certain focus and awareness at work, I don’t always have being outside of it.

There are a few ways to take care of yourself in the situation of a project:

• Set boundaries when or where you are available as a doctor. This could be by stating clinic hours, but also by saying that in certain areas (dinner area, private room) you are not available.

• Put on work/doctors clothes during these times (visible reminder you are available).

• When someone is approaching you, it isn’t urgent and it is not a good time, plan another moment with them. Not a good time also means when you are eating.

• Try to get away from your working environment each day for a short time. Go for a walk to the shop or in the area. This gives your brain time of from being ‘available’.

• You can also get away mentally: mediate, do sports, read, watch a movie.

• Take care of yourself first; you can’t be a doctor for others if you are not healthy mentally and physically. This means rest and eat well. Don’t underestimate sleeping !