From the trainer

摘要

I recently witnessed a doctor discussing a mistake he had made, with a close friend. After a long explanation, deliberation and much self-deprecation, his friend said, rather bluntly, 'You need to forgive yourself. A most helpful and thoughtful remark, and on reflection this made me think how we, particularly as clinicians, can carry guilt and shame on our shoulders despite the best of intentions, for far too long. Guilt and shame can be particularly damaging to ones sense of well-being, an attribute that is needed for the demanding care of patients. So why can this negative force plague our minds when we work so tirelessly for the benefit of others? Medicine, like life itself, is a challenge and we are not always fully prepared for the turmoil when things go wrong. Time for self-reflection in this busy world doesn't always bring about the cure one needs from the distress aroused by ones error. Life can change in an instant and we can never be fully prepared for what the future may hold.