David Hilfiker

My mom found this book on a book exchange rack at her local library and gave it to me after she read it. It was interesting and I can identify with much of what Dr. Hilfiker talked about with regard to the medical/healthcare professions and the mental aspects of it, many of which can cause burnout.

It's interesting because during training there is a lot of "support" but once practices are established, it seems that the group aspect disappears. Medical students are supervised by interns who consult residents, who consult attendings and specialists. Dental students are supervised by licensed dentists (instructors), some of whom practice in recognized dental specialists. There's somewhat of a group process to diagnosis in these--yet many doctors and dentists, even if they practice within a group, don't use the group diagnosis available to them. Group practices are still more common for medical than dental--though that is changing from what I understand.

In the end I'm unsure what Dr. Hilfiker decided regarding his practice of medicine. Did he return to his rural practice in Minnesota? Did he stay at the clinic in Washington, D.C. instead?… (mehr)