Should Doctors Sacrifice Their Health for Patients?

How much do doctors sacrifice their health, and is it worth it? YouTuber @SarahNicholls gave up her career working as a full-time doctor because of the stress, lack of sleep, and strain on her health. Did she make the right call? I break down her decision to quit, including how to make it through the toughest aspects of the doctor training process.

For more videos like this, check out my Doctor’s Quitting Medicine Reaction playlist linked below, where I cover famous “I Quit” stories, including Ali Abdaal, Faye Bate, and Santiago AQ. 👇🏼

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Reaction
19:40 Final Thoughts

LINKS FROM VIDEO:

#doctorreacts #drsarahnicholls #medicalcareer
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Disclaimer: Content of this video is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice. The content and associated links provide general information for general educational purposes only. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Kevin Jubbal, M.D. will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. May include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you).

[SarahNicholls]

No way!! I'm so flattered that you made this reaction video. Thank you 🙌

[andrewquint]

I’m inspired that this British doctor had the guts to take the road less traveled and clearly did the right thing for herself.

[vitaliyankudovich]

As a resident i work on average 90-100 hours a week so i could relate to this...

[syedmuhammadhaaris]

I'm in my pgy1 Internal medicine and already hating it. 80+ hours a week 😢

[sunriselotus]

No sacrificing our health at all. I learned my lesson.

[lawyerdebbie]

I’m not even a doctor and I loved this video. Great perspectives from you and from Dr Sarah ❤

[gracemclaren]

Hey! Really enjoy your videos, medical school in the UK is actually 5 years at the vast majority of universities. It is only 6 if the student chooses to do an optional intercalated degree (such as in public health) in either their 3rd or 4th year of studies (depending on the university). The standard course length is 5 years however.

[MatchaCocoaDog]

Private equity bought out hospitals, clinics and laboratories a long time ago, and now private insurance controls everything. That's why healthcare is in such terrible shape.

[appollo]

Although do take care of themselves for the most part, I don't see doctors as the pinnacle of health. The main reason I like Physicians is because their sacrifice to other people. The message today should be to know what you're getting yourself into before the debt, lack of sleep, health issues. Are you willing to make that sacrifice or quit. Neither is a bad or good choice. It is your choice. If you asked me a few years ago I would have been on the negative side of this topic but I've to realize not everyone has the same goals despite going into the same profession.

[trixiesilver]

It’s horrible to think how it’s the norm to expect this of people. Up to 80 hr wks wow. It’s unreasonable and can be unsafe.. We go to doctors when we have problems calling for high-stakes, specialized decision making. Why would we want them impaired by some degree of exhaustion? It’s not like they’re stunt-men/women. It’s kind of like getting your accountant drunk right before they do your taxes. Maybe the whole tradition is like expecting to help drive your financial advisor into debt or bankruptcy, to just burn through them.
I mean, it’s one thing to need the fortitude & stamina to pull long hours to meet the needs of any number of medical exigencies, but chronically of course is unhealthy and therefore problematic.
As a nurse (practitioner), I understand the bind involved in trying to meet the medical needs of the community, but it makes no sense to imagine that docs are somehow different than everyone else, that long work hours, stress & sleep deprivation just roll right off of them.

[abdullahnizar]

they need to make the system less shit.

[SalimCypher]

Seeing this as a first year medical student, MBBS program 😢😢😢.

[julienalexander]

This is a great video. I have that book that she mentioned, too! Great book!

[josechacon]

1:50 that is true if you graduated from a medical school in US. If you are IMG ( both US and non-US), it’s 2 years.

[scottcampbell]

It honestly makes me question whether or not I want to pursue medicine. What other profession where you are literally overseeing the health and life of other people would put you in such a horrible position to do so? It’s cruel and weird and UNNECESSARY.

[sciencequinoxfate]

this is so bad, it makes consider, when I´m done with residency, start entrepeneurship fr (medical one)

[duckymomo]

generally no, doctors should not sacrifice their health for patients UNLESS the sacrifice is worthy because the patient is having an emergency, that's literally the only exception I can think of, otherwise let doctors be humans

[AsparagusX]

Can you do a react video on the neurosurgeon that recently quit?

[Natsu]

Compared to Indian residency it's nothing . In India specially in clincal subjects you works like 100hrs per week . That too is minimum and I didn't even count the patient load . You also have to work sometimes 36 hrs in case of emergency duty continuosly barely getting any sleep.

[jadedixon]

Yeah, I don't know about taking health advice from people who don't prioritize their own health...