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I read Dr Spence’s polemic against resilience support and training with a mixture of sadness and disappointment.1 I am sad that he had a poor experience of training. It is terrible that he felt no support or worthwhile mentoring from the old style ‘firms’ who trained him. This is very different from the experience I had, in the same country and era, which was enhanced by many excellent role models and at its best created a real feeling of belonging.
I am disappointed at the offhand dismissal of a whole area of psychological theory and a simplistic conclusion that ignores the complexities of the interactions between life, work, and the individual.
Clearly improvements in the workload, working environment, and organisational culture of health care are vital in protecting staff from stress. Having said that, bad things will still happen in the quietest, cleanest, and best-run health centres and hospitals. Patients die unexpectedly and make complaints no matter how good your job, home life, and upbringing. It is vital that we make efforts to allow doctors to handle these events, which are an unavoidable part and parcel of our lives.
Resilience isn’t hardness, stiff upper lips, cynicism, or emotional blunting. It’s talking, openness, maturity, and professionalism. Good medicine.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2017
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