I remember walking away from the clinic one night…
After a long day seeing patients. All day, I'd felt the love, people's appreciation, and in essence, the abundance of the feeling one would get when you're making a difference to people's lives.
After closing the clinic door walking to the car I just felt alone. Despite all those good feelings throughout the day.
I couldn't help but think… I've spent all day helping people, but at the end of the day - who is looking after me?
This is the moment I realised Balance needs to be a team effort.
Throughout the days, I would often consult patients that had travelled hours, interstate and in one instance, from Jakarta, to come and see me… but why???
It comes down to trust. They couldn't find people that were up to date, values driven and authentic enough close to them. I originally felt hugely complemented. This turned into compassionate and sympathetic. And then frustration with the industry and our society which has built a reliance on a certain "person" rather than a group of people that they can trust.
This is when I realised Balance needs to be in multiple locations.
Over time, I've learnt that a happy team:
transfers that goodness to our patients, clients and people watching from the outside-in.
has each other's back and supports each other to keep progressing and move forward.
stays together and keeps things consistent for the patient, and if there are schedule changes,
won't feel a hesitation to introduce their colleagues for future care.
Over time I have realised that happiness comes from a sense of having that perfect balance of challenge and comfort… from having fun and not so fun discussions about cases. It comes from accountability and flexibility.
Why am I sharing this?
Because this is the team you've chosen to take care of your health.
Written by our Practice Leader,
Nick Papastamatis