Physician Health and Well-Being: Generosity is Good Medicine
By John A. Patterson MD, MSPH, FAAFP, ABIHM
Founding co-chair LMS Physician Wellness Program (2016)
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35)
‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life of what we give’ (Winston Churchill)
‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can (John Wesley 1703 – 1791 – founder of Methodism)
‘If you haven’t got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble’ Bob Hope ( The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002 by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of his 50 years of philanthropy )
… Mentoring young doctors to embrace philanthropy enriches their professional development and strengthens the healthcare system and the communities they serve. By instilling a sense of generosity, service, and social responsibility early in their journey, we can shape a generation of physicians who understand that giving—whether of time, talent, or resources—is integral to healing.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Doctors to Embrace Philanthropy –
Guiding Future Physicians to Lead with Generosity and Purpose
https://vocal.media/education/mentoring-the-next-generation-of-doctors-to-embrace-philanthropy-j16pg04dg
Health professionals can benefit from viewing their work as generosity to relieve suffering in the world. But this generosity must begin with wise, compassionate and kind generosity toward themselves.
Center for Mindful Self Compassion
https://centerformsc.org/
Properly practiced, mindfulness includes an attitude of generosity toward oneself, other people, animals and all of nature
9 Attitudes of Mindfulness – Jon Kabat Zinn (founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction / MBSR)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n7FOBFMvXg&t=375s
Where does generosity come from? What are the benefits that result from helping others?
… Allen, S. (2018). The science of generosity. A white paper prepared for the John Templeton Foundation by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley
https://search.issuelab.org/resource/the-science-of-generosity.html
…Studies have linked generosity to lower levels of cortisol the body’s primary stress hormone, and to increased feelings of social connection and a sense of purpose. These effects can be especially valuable during the holidays, when stress and loneliness sometimes run high.
Han SH, Kim K, Burr JA. Stress-buffering effects of volunteering on salivary cortisol: Results from a daily diary study. Soc Sci Med. 2018 Mar;201:120-126
About the Author
Dr Patterson spent 30 years in solo family medicine in Estill County/Irvine, Kentucky, where his staff included a mental health counselor and dietitian. He majored in psychology at Vanderbilt and has viewed his entire medical career through that mind body lens, including residencies in family medicine and preventive medicine and a master’s degree in public health. He is certified in family medicine, integrative holistic medicine, mind body medicine, mindfulness-based stress reduction and yoga therapy. He is past president of the Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians and is on the faculty of U of Rochester Mindful Practice in Medicine and the Center for Mind Body Medicine (Washington, DC). He operates the Mind Body Studio on Southland Drive in Lexington, where he offers individual consultations and group classes for persons with stress-related chronic conditions and burnout prevention for health professionals, teachers, businesses, faith communities and non-profits, emphasizing a mindfulness-based approach to promoting resilience, managing stress, preventing burnout and cultivating compassion. Those with financial hardship simply pay as they are able. He can be reached through his website at www.mindbodystudio.org
